New material releases controlled doses of meds
New material releases controlled doses of meds
Researchers from Purdue University in West LaFayette, IN, have developed a biomaterial that sticks to skin and can deliver controlled doses of medications to wounds, according to the school.The biomaterial is a hydrogel composed of 80% water and a polymer called polyvinyl alcohol. Medication can be added to the gel during the manufacturing process. The gel is applied to a wound and covered with a bandage.
"One of the advantages to delivering drugs with a bioadhesive patch on the skin is that the patients get a slow, constant dose over a longer period of time, perhaps a few days," says Nicholas Peppas, Showalter Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue. "In most situations this will heal the wound faster than applying medication that acts locally for a short time."
Peppas adds that there are no toxic materials in the patch, thereby eliminating the risk of leaching impurities presented by other biomaterials. He also says the new biomaterial’s strength and elasticity remain fairly constant, between 60 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
The primary application of the gel is for external, nonsurgical wounds. Other possible applications include delivering allergy medication to the nose or for medications in the mouth, because the material sticks to mucous membranes. t
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