An innovative on-command bond/debond wound dressing and plaster.

This innovative approach to wound care enables dressings that adhere firmly to the skin at body temperature if required, but can be easily removed without pain in combination with a cold pack.

• No painful removal of dressings.
• Suitable for sensitive skins
• No discomfort or skin trauma.
• Potentially can be adjusted for the desired temperature range.

• Burns
• Preventing skin trauma or stripping
• Suitable for allergic, fragile, or sensitive skins or infected wounds

Innovations in wound care are crucial for improving patient comfort and healing outcomes. Traditional self-adhesive wound dressings, rooted in century-old zinc oxide technology, often pose challenges such as skin irritation, allergic reactions, and difficulty in removal. These issues are particularly problematic for individuals with sensitive skin or wounds in delicate areas. Additionally, prolonged exposure to zinc oxide-based dressings may impede wound healing. Researchers at the University of Freiburg, funded by Baden-Württemberg Stiftung, found and developed a solution to these challenges.

Most self-adhesive wound dressings used today are still based on zinc oxide materials developed over 100 years ago. These types of plasters and dressings may cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals, particularly those with sensitive skin. In addition, while zinc oxide is known for its antimicrobial properties, excessive use or prolonged exposure to zinc oxide-based wound dressings may interfere with wound healing. The adhesive properties of zinc oxide-based dressings can make them difficult to remove, potentially causing discomfort or skin trauma, especially in delicate, burned or sensitive areas. Removing these dressings and plasters is painful and might cause more damage to the skin.

Researchers at the University of Freiburg have developed a wound dressing with an on-command bond/de-bond mechanism. The working principle of this innovation is based on adhering reliably to body temperature in a controlled manner. For this purpose, vinyl ester copolymers and PVA/fatty acid esters with crystallisable side chains and different compositions were investigated. In the event of hydrolysis of these material systems, in which contact with body fluids cannot be ruled out, the products of hydrolysis would be fatty acids and PVA. This has a high level of biocompatibility and is considered medically safe. This innovative approach to wound care allows for dressings that can adhere strongly to the skin or wound site when needed at body temperature but can be easily removed without causing pain or damage to the healing tissue when combined with a cold pack.