Multifunctional Topical Dressing for Burn Wounds

This SBIR Phase I project will develop a novel multifunctional biocompatible wound dressing for the controlled delivery of analgesic drugs to burn wounds. In the proposed Phase I effort, a new multifunctional biocompatible wound dressing based on silver-infused clay films will be developed for the controlled delivery of analgesic drugs to burn wounds. MMI has significant experience in the development of wound dressings for hemostasis (Gro-Klot) and burn wounds (Silvamat) for military applications. In the Phase I, the technical feasibility of the multifunctional wound dressing will be tested using both in-vitro, and animal models. Efforts will be focused on demonstrating the suitability of the wound dressing developed in the Phase I to function as a stable reservoir for two opioid analgesics, morphine and fentanyl which are currently used for treatment of burn wounds by the military. Various properties of the clay film dressing including mechanical strength, surface adhesion, antimicrobial activity, and capacity for controlled release of analgesics including release kinetics will be investigated. Specific animal models for pain management with topical analgesics will be developed in the Phase I and will be investigated extensively in the Phase II project.