Researchers at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy have created customizable 3D-printed medicated patches designed to treat persistent sores and ulcers. These innovative scaffolds deliver natural, biodegradable antibacterials gradually to speed up healing.
Addressing Chronic Wound Challenges
Chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers and pressure sores, often persist for months or years. “People with limited mobility or diabetes often have wounds with reduced oxygen supply,” explained Sateesh Vemula, a postdoctoral researcher. “This can slow the body’s normal repair process and make wounds more likely to become long-lasting, while also increasing the chance that bacteria can grow and lead to infection.”
Innovative Design and Materials
The team, led by distinguished professor Michael Repka alongside Vemula and doctoral candidate Nouf Alshammari, 3D-prints breathable patch structures using chitosan—a natural substance from crustaceans, insects, and fungi—combined with plant-derived antimicrobials. Chitosan promotes skin cell growth, reduces inflammation, and fights infection while shielding the wound from external contaminants.
“A lot of bandages are made with organic solvents, which actually hurt the wound-healing process, especially when applied intimately on the wound,” Repka noted. “With the materials and technique we’re using, you don’t have organic solvents. We’re also not using traditional antibiotics over a long period of time, because that can often cause the bacteria to become resistant. That’s the advantage of using natural products.”
Customization and Biodegradability
3D printing enables tailoring the patches to fit any wound size or body location. “The materials we used are also biodegradable,” Alshammari added. “With time, the scaffold is going to be absorbed into the skin. And it’s an inactive material, so we don’t have to worry about side effects or toxic residuals.”
This feature proves ideal for internal wounds, eliminating the need for a second incision to remove the material, according to Vemula.
Broad Applications and Future Steps
The technology suits scenarios where standard bandages fall short. “Depending on what kind of wound it is, a regular bandage might work well and this wouldn’t be necessary,” Repka stated. “But there are a lot of applications for this technology. These could be printed in the field for, say, military applications. If you have a generator that can run these 3D printers, you can print the scaffold you need based on what kind of wound has occurred.”
Further testing and Food and Drug Administration approval remain necessary before clinical use. “The goal is translating this from research to patients,” Repka affirmed.
