The objective is to provide an improved wound dressing based on a polymeric membrane which has the capability of changing its moisture vapor permeability to suit the particular conditions of the wound. The membrane will be transparent, impermeable to bacteria and liquid water, and possess self-cling properties which allow it to be easily removed from the wound surface. A newly developed polymer composition will be modified as to provide the self-adjusting vapor permeability or "intelligent" behavior. An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is currently used as a wound dressing. The resulting product will have increased moisture vapor permeability and fluid storage capacity when in the presence of heavily exuding wounds. The same dressing will decrease its vapor permeability when exudate decreases, thus avoiding wound desiccation. Phase I will begin with prototype production, continue with in vitro and in vivo testing, and conclude with the interpretation of results and recommendations for Phase II.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:There is a constant and obvious need for improvements in the field of wound treatment, therefore any meaningful advancement will have significant commercial potential.National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
