Antimicrobial Protective Silicone and Carbon Based Wound Dressings

Burn injuries constitute 5-20% of combat casualties during conventional warfare. Nonviable tissue within the burn predisposes it to microbial colonization and subsequent infection. The goal of burn care, especially at early echelons, is to control infection until the injury either spontaneously heals or is surgically closed. Prevention of infection is crucial for patient survival and to reduce the burden on medical units and burn management specialist centers. As such, the USAMRMC has identified the need for a new type of tailored wound dressing, composed primarily of a nano-thin layer of carbon deposit on a highly permeable silicone film, which would eliminate the risk of a burn patient developing burn wound sepsis. The development of a responsive dressing material with the potential to meet, and even exceed, these performance characteristics is proposed. Specifically, Lynntech will develop multiple novel atraumatic dressings derived from implant-grade silicone and three carbon nanomaterials with well-established antimicrobial properties. Additionally, strategies aimed at enhancing the antimicrobial properties of native carbon nanomaterials will be explored. Multiple dressing compositions will be tested for efficacy and the impact of their use on wound re-epithelialization. Lead dressings that best achieve the objective of this technology pursuit will be recommended for further development.