Creation of a Novel Absorbent Bandage for Pressure Ulcer Treatment

Research was undertaken to explore the possibility of using solid, microporous materials in a bandage that when applied to a pressure ulcer that achieves the following criteria: ‐contains a microporous material as the secondary absorbent that withholds moisture under bodily conditions. ‐sustains an ideal moisture level on the wound bed to create an ideal healing environment. ‐expect an absorbance capacity for water from the microporous material under body‐like conditions over 25%. ‐accounts for multiple different secretion types in and around wounds. ‐integrates this adsorbent into a comfortable gauze bandage for easy for use by doctors and nurses. ‐prevents infection and bacterial growth in this bandage by integrating a heat‐stable antibiotic into the bandage. The goal of this research was to understand if these goals were feasible, then design a bandage containing a microporous material that could prevent pressure ulcer progression and infection, and further test the used components for effectiveness and unintended reactions. Comparative literature research was conducted on several heat stable antibiotics and on multiple microporous materials including kaolin clays, silica gel, and zeolite. It was determined that synthetic zeolite (4 Angstrom Molecular Sieve) was the ideal candidate to use in the bandage. A highly effective, heat stable antibiotic was also chosen to integrate into the bandage: Trimethoprim‐Sulfamethoxazole. The combination of the two materials yields the potential for the long‐term application of this bandage. However, when acting as a Hemostatic Agent, zeolite has been found to cause an exothermic reaction when it contacts blood. In order to continue my construction and study of the bandage, this interaction needs to be further understood in relation to pressure ulcers. Bovine serum, whole blood, and ratios of fractionated blood was tested in tissue wells with zeolite at physiological temp (37□) for any significant exothermic reaction amounting to a temperature change over 5□ from physiological temp. No significant temperature change was noted with Fetal Bovine Serum and will be used as a control. Another goal includes testing upon the zeolite mechanism of action if such a temperature change occurs with blood ratios found in pressure ulcers, in order to potentially mitigate the effects when implemented in a bandage. Another goal is testing to study effectiveness of antibiotics when integrated and subjected to heat and vacuum with zeolite. The end goal is finally designing and constructing a prototype bandage. Support or Funding Information ‐Hampden‐Sydney College Undergraduate Research Council.