A remarkable invention for keeping skin grafts in place, even when the surface of the wound is wet was inspired by a parasitic worm that latches onto the intestines of fish by inflating its head.
Reporting in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday, US researchers devised a patch studded with tiny cone-shaped needles as a replacement for surgical staples, a potential source of tissue damage and infection.
All About Skin Grafting
Skin grafting attempts to reduce wound appearance. Read on to find out more about how skin grafting can help restore wellness among patients that have undergone extensive injuries and/or burns.
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The needles are made of a stiff core made of plastic and a tip that is rigid when dry but swells up on contact with water in surface tissue.
Within 10 minutes, the tips are plumped up and secure the patch firmly on the skin, clamping grafts on burns and other injuries.
"The unique design allows the needles to stick to soft tissues with minimal damage," said Jeffrey Karp, a biomedical engineer at Brigham and Women's Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School in New England.
![The Looming Controversy Surrounding Facial Transplant]( "The Looming Controversy Surrounding Facial Transplant")
Since the passing of the legislation in India, entitled, 'Transplantation of Human Organ (THO) Act' in 1994, it has been possible to undertake multi-organ transplant activity from brain dead donors.
"Moreover, when it comes time to remove the adhesive, as opposed to staples, there is less trauma inflicted to the tissue, blood and nerves, as well as a reduced risk of infection."
Inspiration for the patch came from Pomphorhynchus laevis, a spiny worm which penetrates the intestinal wall of sea fish and then plumps up its elongated cactus-like head so that it cannot be dislodged.
The microneedles provide not just good anchorage, say the researchers.
They also offer potential for channelling antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs into wounds at minute doses.
Source: AFP
"The unique design allows the needles to stick to soft tissues with minimal damage," said Jeffrey Karp, a biomedical engineer at Brigham and Women's Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School in New England.
The Looming Controversy Surrounding Facial Transplant
Since the passing of the legislation in India, entitled, 'Transplantation of Human Organ (THO) Act' in 1994, it has been possible to undertake multi-organ transplant activity from brain dead donors.
Advertisement
"Moreover, when it comes time to remove the adhesive, as opposed to staples, there is less trauma inflicted to the tissue, blood and nerves, as well as a reduced risk of infection."
Inspiration for the patch came from Pomphorhynchus laevis, a spiny worm which penetrates the intestinal wall of sea fish and then plumps up its elongated cactus-like head so that it cannot be dislodged.
The microneedles provide not just good anchorage, say the researchers.
They also offer potential for channelling antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs into wounds at minute doses.
Source: AFP
Avita Medical's ReCell Spray-On Skin Works Better Than Skin Grafting
The ReCell kit for the harvesting and application of autologous skin cells worked better than skin grafting in a pilot study, Avita Medical has announced.
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Burn Experts Hope to Create 'Living' Skin That Reduces Pain, Scarring Of Skin GraftsBurns experts at the University of Sydney and Concord Hospital are carrying out animal trails of a living skin that is completely functional when grafted onto a body. | Advertisement
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