Bleeding inhibiting, highly absorbent 3D-printed curdlan-based dressing insert for medical applications

Abstract

Exudative wounds pose a significant challenge in clinical practice, as excessive exudate can delay the healing process and increase the risk of infection. In response to the demand for advanced dressings that not only effectively absorb excess exudate but also actively support tissue regeneration, innovative biocompatible biomaterials have been developed using 3D printing technology. Thanks to the developed synthesis method, the curdlan-based materials were enriched with calcium ions and engineered to possess a porous structure, high hydrophilicity, and significant fluid absorption capacity. A notable advantage of the proposed dressing inserts is their compact dry form, which makes them easy to handle and integrate into multilayer wound dressing systems. Despite their small size, the materials can absorb substantial amounts of fluid, making them particularly promising for the treatment of highly exuding wounds, such as venous leg ulcers. Comprehensive analyses confirmed their thermal stability, biological safety (non-toxic, non-mutagenic, and hemocompatible), and the ability to stimulate skin cell proliferation. The obtained results highlight the strong potential of these biomaterials as next-generation dressing inserts for effective management of hard-to-heal wounds.