Novel plasma-coated bandages may revolutionize treatment of chronic wounds

Researchers at University of South Australia have developed world-first plasma-coated bandages with the power to attack infection and inflammation.The new bandage could revolutionize the treatment of chronic wounds such as pressure, diabetic or vascular ulcers that won't heal on their own.

The novel coating comprises a special antioxidant which can be applied to any wound dressing to simultaneously reduce wound inflammation and break up infection to aid in wound repair.

In Australia, nearly a half-million people suffer from chronic wounds, costing the health system an estimated AUD$3 billion each year. It's a similar picture around the world with more than 5.7 million people suffering from chronic wounds in the United States, costing the economy an estimated USD$20 billion each year; and in the UK, more than 2 million people are currently living with chronic wounds at a cost of £5 billion per year.

With growing rates of global obesity, diabetes and an aging population, chronic wounds are increasingly affecting large proportions of the general population, yet until this breakthrough discovery, few treatments have shown such positive results.

Lead researcher, Dr. Thomas Michl, from UniSA STEM, says that upgrading current dressings with this state-of-the-art coating will promote effective healing on chronic wounds and reduce patient suffering.

"Proper care for chronic wounds requires frequent changes of wound dressings but currently, these wound dressings are passive actors in wound management," Dr. Michl says.

"Our novel coatings change this, turning any wound dressing into an active participant in the healing process—not only covering and protecting the wound, but also knocking down excessive inflammation and infection. No other method achieves this to date."

The technology is highly scalable and sustainable, making it a viable option for broad application worldwide.

Provided by University of South Australia

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DOI: 10.1039/c9ra09875e