Sterilization: how bacteria defend themselves against plasmas
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Image: Medical professional places a dressing on the leg of a lying person

Wound dressings: Thermoresponsive polymer for painless removal

08/10/2024

A team of researchers led by Prof. Rolf Mülhaupt and Prof. Thorsten Steinberg at the University of Freiburg has developed a thermoresponsive polymer that enables wound dressings to be removed painlessly and without leaving any residue.
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Image: Smiling man with blue shirt, short gray hair and beard holding a foot orthosis - Prof. Martin Kohlhase; Copyright: Sarah Jonek/HSBI

Sarah Jonek/HSBI

Diabetic foot syndrome: Help through orthosis with sensors

12/09/2024

A sensor-equipped orthosis is being developed at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences to improve patient self-management during the treatment of diabetic foot syndrome.
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Image: Picture of a water-powered, electronics-free dressing (WPED) for electrical stimulation of wounds; Copyright: Rajaram Kaveti

Rajaram Kaveti

Electric bandage promotes faster healing of chronic wounds

15/08/2024

Researchers from North Carolina State University and Columbia University have developed a cost-effective bandage that uses an electric field to accelerate the healing of chronic wounds. In animal tests, this electric bandage improved wound healing by 30 percent compared to conventional bandages.
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Image: wearable bioelectronic system displayed on a finger in green gloves; Copyright: Wei Gao, California Institute of Technology

Wei Gao, California Institute of Technology

Smart bandages: Advancing chronic wound treatment

02/07/2024

A team of researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is developing advanced electronic bandages and other tools to improve the monitoring and healing of chronic wounds. These wearable bioelectronic systems, tested in animal models, have the potential to enhance wound care through controlled drug release and electrical stimulation.
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Image: Dorsal root ganglia expressing CGRP after muscle injury; Copyright: Mikaël M. Martino

Mikaël M. Martino

Unveiling the role of sensory neurons in tissue repair

10/05/2024

Research from Monash and Osaka Universities highlights the key role sensory neurons play in tissue repair and regeneration, marking a significant advancement for regenerative medicine.
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Image: The bare feet of a man with dark discoloration and ulcers; Copyright: halfpoint

halfpoint

Diabetes: Sensor sole warns of foot ulcers

07/05/2024

People with long-term diabetes often struggle with pressure sores and chronic wounds on their feet. These occur due to circulatory and sensory disorders. Careful monitoring of one's own feet is necessary for prevention. A newly developed insole with sensors, in combination with telemedicine, is intended to prevent the formation of foot ulcers.
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Image: Close-up of the surgeon's hands during an operation

Wound closure: soldering with light and nanotechnology

02/04/2024

With "iSoldering", the Particles Biology Interactions Laboratory at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) in St. Gallen and the Nanoparticle Systems Engineering Laboratory at ETH Zurich have developed a method that does not require surgical sutures or synthetic adhesives. Instead, nanoparticles and light enable secure wound closure.
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Image: The image shows a hand with slight burn injuries

UGRSKIN: artificial skin as a game-changer in burn treatment

11/03/2024

The University of Granada (UGR) has pioneered a solution for burn treatment with its artificial skin “UGRSKIN”. Developed by the Tissue Engineering Research Group, this advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) has improved the approach to treating severe burns, offering patients new hope and enhanced outcomes.
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Image: In the middle of this excerpt of a graphic there is a human body, visualizing the function of the underwater bio-adhesive for healing inner wounds; Copyright: POSTECH

POSTECH

Tailored medical adhesives for personalized healing

26/02/2024

POSTECH researchers led by Prof. Hyung Joon Cha, alongside colleagues, introduced groundbreaking personalized underwater bio-adhesive patches (CUBAP) derived from mussel adhesive proteins. This discovery, featured in Advanced Materials, improves biomedical adhesives, offering tailored internal healing solutions.
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Image: Two people in a laboratory working with a nanoparticle paste and light. Copyright: Empa

Empa

Smart wound sealing with nanoparticles and light soldering

24/01/2024

Empa researchers have pioneered a novel soldering process that employs nanoparticles and lasers to gently fuse tissue, ushering in a new era in wound closure.
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Image: Plasma ignition of the plasma source used: The plasma is visible here in a so-called filamentous discharge in the form of small purple flashes; Copyright: RUB, Marquard

RUB, Marquard

Sterilization: how bacteria defend themselves against plasmas

04/12/2023

A research team headed by Professor Julia Bandow and Dr. Tim Dirks from the Chair for Applied Microbiology at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, showed that bacteria that overproduce the heat shock protein Hsp33 can withstand plasma treatment more effectively than others.
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Image: Dressing material in open blue containers on a table; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf

Messe Düsseldorf

Healing chronically infected wounds with living dressings

30/11/2023

When a wound heals, ideally the new tissue fully closes a skin lesion. But with chronic wounds, seemingly harmless tissue damages can turn into permanent health problems. In some chronic wounds with infections, antibiotics or disinfectants can no longer get to the germs. To counteract this, Empa researchers have now developed a dressing containing probiotic lactobacilli.
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A woman with a microphone interviews a man in a suit at a trade fair stand; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

Smartly crafting medical adhesives – Avery Dennison

15/11/2023

Avery Dennison, a global powerhouse in materials science, is advancing the field of medical adhesives, both for wound and surgical care as well as for wearables. With a multidisciplinary team and a dedication to addressing current industry challenges, they deliver solutions that not only meet the practical needs of medical applications but also enhance the comfort for patients.
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Image: Female engineer in laboratory clothing inspects a small circuit board; Copyright: wosunan

wosunan

Microrobots: opportunities for cancer treatment and wound healing

18/09/2023

A group of researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has developed the world’s first microrobot (“microbot”) capable of navigating within groups of cells and stimulating individual cells.
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Image: Close-up of a boy with a healed minor cut after surgical tape stitches; Copyright: ellinnur

ellinnur

Biomaterials: toolbox for the development of bioadhesives

28/07/2023

The team of Prof. Dr. Thomas Scheibel, Chair of Biomaterials at the University of Bayreuth, has compiled a current overview of the state of research on protein-based bioadhesives.
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Image: A man with dark hair and a white shirt inspects a 3D printer; Copyright: Patrick Mansell/Penn State

Patrick Mansell/Penn State

High-speed bioprinting of bones, tracheas, organs

28/07/2023

Developing technology to quickly and efficiently bioprint human tissues at scale is the goal of a new project led by Penn State researchers. When fully developed, the technology will be the first to enable the fabrication of scalable, native tissues such as bones, tracheas and organs.
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Image: It shows the activation of a chemical signaling pathway (ERK pathway; top-right) merged with a simulation of 2D cell areas (bottom-left) in a monolayer of cells; Copyright: Hannezo Group | ISTA

Hannezo Group | ISTA

Cell dynamics: how cells talk to each other

26/07/2023

Like us, cells communicate. Well, in their own special way. Using waves as their common language, cells tell one another where and when to move.
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Image: dr Jasmina Gačanin poses for the camera in a hallway; Copyright: Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung

Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung

Jasmina Gačanin investigates living biomaterials

20/07/2023

Dr. Jasmina Gačanin, postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in the department of Prof. Dr. Tanja Weil, has been appointed as a “Peretti-Schmucker Fellow”.
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Image: An open wound on a knee is dabbed with a cotton pad; Copyright: yanadjana

yanadjana

Mobile cold plasma device: healing of chronic and acute wounds

13/07/2023

Skin diseases, chronic wounds or postoperative wounds often greatly restrict the quality of life for those affected. Improvement or healing of these conditions is usually time-consuming and costly. Terraplasma medical GmbH, a company of the Viromed Medical Group, uses cold plasma to pursue an effective approach to wound treatment.
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Image: Portrait photo of a blond woman with blue eyes in a white blouse; Copyright: University of Gothenburg

University of Gothenburg

Skin cancer: curettage and cryosurgery effective for basal cell carcinoma

30/06/2023

The number of cases of skin cancer is continuing to rise sharply, in Sweden and internationally, involving high costs for a healthcare economy that is already under severe strain in many places. Eva Backman and her team studied the efficacy of treatment options.
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Image: The hydrogel composite is demonstratively stretched by Alexandre Anthis; Copyright: Empa

Empa

Sensor patch for abdominal surgery

23/06/2023

Researchers from Empa and ETH Zurich have developed a plaster with a sensor function to ensure that wounds in the abdomen remain tightly closed after an operation.
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Image: Renacer bioresorbable membrane against a black background; Copyright: K. Selsam, Fraunhofer ISC

K. Selsam, Fraunhofer ISC

Wound healing: Fraunhofer Institutes develop bioresorbable membrane RENACER

13/06/2023

Treating large-area and internal wounds and promoting their often protracted healing remains a challenging task for medicine. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM) have developed the bioresorbable membrane RENACER®.
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Image: Woman with glasses and gray-brown hair, Carole Planchette, stands by a pillar; Copyright: Fotogenia - Renate Trummer

Fotogenia - Renate Trummer

Tissue Engineering: TU Graz revolutionises production of biocompatible microfibres

02/06/2023

Using a newly developed method for the efficient and cost-effective production of biocompatible microfibres, the production of autologous skin and organs can be significantly accelerated. Responsible for the development are Carole Planchette and her team from TU Graz.
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Image: The cover art illustrates ultrasound-mediated drug delivery into a biofilm-infected wound; Copyright: Ella Marushchenko

Ella Marushchenko

Breaking through bacterial barriers in chronic treatment-resistant wounds

24/05/2023

Researchers in the UNC School of Medicine's Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the UNC-NC State Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering have developed a new strategy to improve drug-delivery into chronic wounds infections.
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Image: The research team: three men and one woman pose next to a screen and a microscope; Copyright: NTU Singapore

NTU Singapore

Why wavy wounds heal faster than straight wounds

19/05/2023

Wavy wounds heal faster than straight wounds because shapes influence cell movements, a team of researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has found.
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Image: Daniel Aili, professor at the Department of Physics, man with brown hair and glasses, smiles at the camera; Copyright: Magnus Johansson

Magnus Johansson

Wound dressing reveals infection

26/04/2023

A nanocellulose wound dressing that can reveal early signs of infection without interfering with the healing process has been developed by researchers at Linköping University, Sweden.
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Image: Prof Giuseppe Intini in a blue sweat jacket, smiles at the camera; Copyright: Giuseppe Intini

Giuseppe Intini

New approach helps skull bones mend themselves

24/04/2023

In a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, University of Pittsburgh researchers developed a novel approach that promoted bone regeneration in mice without implantation of bone tissue or biomaterials.
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Image: Medical samples are treated with a plasma pen; Copyright: INP

INP

Plasma against precancerous skin lesions: EU funds international doctoral candidates network

24/04/2023

Under the leadership of the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), the international doctoral candidates network PlasmACT is investigating the use of medical gas plasma technology as a treatment method.
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Image: Illustration of wounds on cultured skin cells heal while stimulated with electric current; Copyright: Science Brush | Hassan A. Tahini

Science Brush | Hassan A. Tahini

How electricity can heal wounds three times as fast

21/04/2023

Using electric stimulation, researchers in a project at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, and the University of Freiburg, Germany, have developed a method that speeds up the healing process, making wounds heal three times faster.
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Image: A smart bandage rests on a gloved finger.; Copyright: Caltech

Caltech

‘Smart’ bandages monitor wounds and provide targeted treatment

03/04/2023

Most of the time, when someone gets a cut, scrape, burn, or other wound, the body takes care of itself and heals on its own. But this is not always the case. Diabetes can interfere with the healing process and create wounds that will not go away and that could become infected and fester.
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Image: A white electrospun Renacer membrane (5 x 5 cm) on a black background; Copyright: Fraunhofer ISC

Fraunhofer ISC

Bioresorbable membrane for healing internal and external wounds

10/02/2023

Fraunhofer researchers have succeeded in using the bioresorbable silica gel Renacer to produce an electrospun membrane that is neither cytotoxic to cells nor genotoxic.
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Image: Close-up of the healing process of a corneal ulcer, postoperative results in vivo; Copyright: POSTECH

POSTECH

Treating cornea ulcers with diagnostic light instead of corneal transplantation

08/02/2023

Recently, a Korean joint research team from POSTECH-KKU has developed a new tissue adhesive that restores the damaged cornea by simply filling it and exposing it to light.
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Image: The doctor treats the wound on the patient's leg in a clinic room; Copyright: Okrasyuk

Okrasyuk

Wound care: New spray fights infections and antibiotic resistance

07/02/2023

A group of researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden are presenting a new spray that can kill even antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and that can be used for wound care and directly on implants and other medical devices.
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Image: Nurse is caring for a surgical wound at the leg of a patient; Copyright: DegrooteStock

DegrooteStock

Wound care: healing with technology

01/12/2022

Wound care by nurses is directly about cleaning, sterile covering, and documentation. Medical and surgical interventions may also be necessary. In this context, wound care also offers potential for the use of technical aids that can help prevent complications.
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Image: Nurse is cleaning a surgical wound with two sutures between the fingers of a patient; Copyright: ARTFULLY79

ARTFULLY79

Technology in wound care: tools for better healing

01/12/2022

Wounds – both acute and chronic ones – can have many different causes. They all have in common that they require meticulous care because complications in wound healing can severely reduce both the patients’ health and quality of life. But there is more to modern wound care than just cleaning and bandaging them. Nursing staff and physicians can also access technical aids for this work.
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Image: Model of a human back with a wound above the coccyx, over which a cylinder-shaped printing head hovers; Copyright: beta-web/Roth

beta-web/Roth

Wound treatment: printing instead of grafting

01/12/2022

Currently, wound care is limited to either waiting for wounds to heal while keeping them clean and free of infection or using grafts from the patient’s own body to cover larger defects. With the ongoing development tissue engineering and bioprinting, there could be a third option in future: Will we be able to print new tissue directly in the OR to cover surgical wounds?
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Image: A portable device with a large touchscreen and green handles at both sides – the Wound Viewer from Omnidermal; Copyright: beta-web/Roth

beta-web/Roth

Wound Viewer from Omnidermal: using AI to monitor wounds

01/12/2022

Caring for chronic wounds is a tedious task for caregivers and physicians, as these wounds take a long time to heal and may easily worsen. They also require a lot of documentation to plan and monitor treatment. With the Wound Viewer from Omnidermal Biomedics, a device is available that supports medical staff in this task.
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Image: Animation of a hospital room with ceiling supply unit and LED lighting; Copyright: Dräger Medical Deutschland GmbH

Dräger Medical Deutschland GmbH

Healing Environment: thoughtful design improves patient care

01/07/2022

Most people would not immediately consider hospitals places that create a "feel-good atmosphere". And yet, the environment plays a key role in a patient’s healing process and recovery. As a leading medical and safety technology product manufacturer, Dräger Medical Deutschland GmbH knows how to create a design that blends function with comfort.
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Image: Preview picture of video

Fibers for fibers – Textile implants repair the body

08/06/2022

We are nowadays already able to weave implants out of artificial fibers that can replace tissue or heal injuries. Different materials like polymers or nitinol are used to create flexible shapes. But the materials and their uses can still be improved.
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Image: a tiny plaster with some gel on it; Copyright: NTU Singapore

NTU Singapore

New therapy for chronic wounds

10/09/2021

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), the Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS), and local biotech start-up Celligenics are working together to develop accessible and affordable therapies to accelerate healing in chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers and bed sores.
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Image: Closeup view with selective focus of shiny glittering  water balls hydrogel; Copyright: PantherMedia/PhotoChowk

PantherMedia/PhotoChowk

Improving strength, stretchiness and adhesion in hydrogels for wound healing

31/08/2021

Scientists use the adhesive capabilities of mussels as a model for optimizing hydrogels’ mechanical properties.
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Image: A physician puts a bandage around the foot of a patient; Copyright: PantherMedia/Wavebreakmedia (YAYMicro)

PantherMedia/Wavebreakmedia (YAYMicro)

Chronic wounds: new, inexpensive wound dressing

29/07/2021

An MSU-led team is developing an inexpensive biopolymer dressing to heal injuries like diabetic foot ulcers that affect millions of patients all over the world.
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Image: wound-healing gel; Copyright: RUDN University

RUDN University

Wound-healing gel with metabolic products of trichoderma

07/12/2020

Researchers from the Department of Biochemistry of RUDN University developed a wound-healing gel based on a substance that is produced by Trichoderma fungi. The results of the study were published in the Nov.-Dec. 2020 issue Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy journal.
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Image: Surgical utensils lying on a table in the OR; Copyright: WavebreakmediaMicro - stock.adobe.com

Sustainable Nonwoven Solutions Improve Hygiene

02/11/2020

Whether it is hospitals or care homes - the right hygiene tools are crucial for process efficiency. These products can be composed of a wide variety of materials. NORAFIN offers a sustainable solution with products made from nonwoven fabric.
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Image: A half-transparent red piece of tissue in a glass filled with a yellow fluid; Copyright: United Therapeutics

rhCollagen: genetically engineered building block for regenerative medicine

03/02/2020

Collagen is the stuff that holds our bodies together and that houses our cells. In regenerative medicine, it is also the stuff that can be applied to wounds to support healing. However, collagen from animal or human sources has some drawbacks for today’s medicine. This is where rhCollagen from the Israeli company CollPlant comes into play.
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Image: The shoulder of a man with a surgical suture; Copyright: panthermedia.net/JPCPROD

Regenerative medicine: helps the body healing

03/02/2020

Severe wounds heal slowly and leave scars. This is why we have been using regenerative therapies for some time now to accelerate and improve healing. They also help to avoid permanent damage. Still, complex applications like replacing organs or limbs will rather remain vision than become reality for a long time.
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Image: Two knees of a woman next to each other, the left knee has a surgical suture; Copyright: panthermedia.net/wujekspeed

Regenerative medicine: creating a new body?

03/02/2020

Regenerative medicine aims to repair the human body after injuries, accidents or major cancer surgery. Unfortunately, we are still not at a stage where this process can achieve optimal results for every conceivable situation. Having said that, various new methods are on the cusp of breakthrough.
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