Treatment of Complex Wounds using Hybrid Nanocomposite Membranes

Complex wounds go beyond simple kitchen cuts or scratched mosquito bites. Patients whose health is compromized by underlying conditions such as diabetes often suffer from complex and frequently chronic wounds. At Fraunhofer IKTS, hybrid nanocomposite membranes are being developed to specifically reduce patient suffering (Fig. 1).

The causes of complex wounds are varied and include underlying diseases, age and bacterial infections. The IKTS approach focuses on alternatives to antibiotics for treating infections, combined with growth factors (proteins) that stimulate wound closure. These components are incorporated into biodegradable polymer membranes using electrospinning. This enables the controlled release of active substances directly at the wound site, where they fight infection, accelerate closure and promote healing.

In addition to treating complex wounds, this approach also addresses the issue of antibiotic resistance. The active components developed at Fraunhofer IKTS have antibacterial properties. Fig. 2 illustrates the effect: bacteriophages are released from the membrane and destroy surrounding bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). Fig. 3 shows the relationship between the number of phages and the size of the inhibited bacterial growth zone. By combining materials science and biomedicine, this research paves the way for localized, effective therapies in cases where antibiotics no longer work. Local delivery of active substances also helps minimize potential side effects.

Building on this foundation, Fraunhofer IKTS aims to join forces with medical device manufacturers and research partners working on alternatives to antibiotics with the aim of developing market-ready wound dressings. In order to further improve the systems, bio-based polymers and non-critical solvents are being used which must be tailored to the respective active components. The first step is to develop a bio-based, biodegradable membrane with antibacterial properties together with cooperation partners. This will not only reduce the ecological footprint: it will also open up new fields of application such as veterinary medicine and food safety. The research is being conducted in connection with the projects AntiMicro-

Mxen (SMWK; funding code: 100727991) and NanoMedWound (BMWE; funding code: KK5033952AJ4).

Active substances

• Bacteriophages
• Nanoparticles and nanocomposites
• Growth factors