Stimuli-Responsive Smart Wound Dressings

该项目将看到Scapa Group Plc，Gencoa Limited和利物浦大学表面科学研究中心的合作，以应用新技术开发世界领先的抗菌伤口敷料。由于人口老龄化以及肥胖和糖尿病等相关疾病的发病率增加，慢性伤口感染越来越常见。这样的伤口通常可以通过形成生物膜而被感染。本项目的目的是开发一种敷料，仅在需要阻止生物膜形成时，才能智能地将抗菌剂释放到受影响的伤口中。目前市场上还不存在这种水平的能力，一个成功的项目将创造出世界上第一个和世界领先的预生产原型。这一进展建立在纳米纤维和适用于该领域的软材料表面纳米功能化的最新技术创新的基础上。

The project will see a collaboration of Scapa Group Plc, Gencoa Limited and the University of Liverpool’s Surface Science Research Centre embark on a program of research and development in order to apply novel techniques for the development of a world leading antimicrobial wound dressing. Chronic wound infections are increasingly common as a result of ageing populations and increasing rates of obesity and related diseases such as diabetes. Such wounds can commonly become infected via formation of biofilms. It is the purpose of this project to develop a dressing with the capability to intelligently release antimicrobial agents into an affected wound only when they are required to stop biofilm formation. This level of capability does not currently exist in the market and a successful project will create a world first and world leading pre production prototype. This advance builds on recent technological innovations in nanofabrication and surface nano-functionalisations of soft materials applicable in this sector.