Stretch-responsive adhesive microcapsules for strain-regulated antibiotic release from fabric wound dressings

Biomater Sci. 2021 Aug 7;9(15):5136-5143. doi: 10.1039/d1bm00628b. Epub 2021 Jul 5.

Abstract

Bacterial infection of a wound is a major complication that can significantly delay proper healing and even necessitate surgical debridement. Conventional non-woven fabric dressings, including gauzes, bandages and cotton wools, often fail in treating wound infections in a timely manner due to their passive release mechanism of antibiotics. Here, we propose adhesive mechanically-activated microcapsules (MAMCs) capable of strongly adhering to a fibrous matrix to achieve a self-regulated release of antibiotics upon uniaxial stretching of non-woven fabric dressings. To achieve this, a uniform population of polydopamine (PDA)-coated MAMCs (PDA-MAMCs) are prepared using a microfluidics technique and subsequent oxidative dopamine polymerization. The PDA-MAMC allows for robust mechano-activation within the fibrous network through high retention and effective transmission of mechanical force under stretching. By validating the potential of a PDA-MAMCs-laden gauze to release antibiotics in a tensile strain-dependent manner, we demonstrate that PDA-MAMCs can be successfully incorporated into a woven material and create a smart wound dressing for control of bacterial infections. This new mechano-activatable delivery approach will open up a new avenue for a stretch-triggered, on-demand release of therapeutic cargos in skin-mountable or wearable biomedical devices.

MeSH terms

  • Adhesives
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents*
  • Bandages
  • Capsules
  • Humans
  • Wound Infection*

Substances

  • Adhesives
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Capsules