Scientists develop textiles to administer drugs
St.Gallen – Researchers at the Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) are developing polymer fibres that can be equipped with drugs. The smart textiles could be used to treat skin wounds.
Scientists from Empa’s Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles department in St.Gallen are developing fibers from biodegradable polymers, with the targeted use of the fibre determining which manufacturing process is best, according to a statement. The finished product, being developed as part of the Self Care Materials project, may contain drugs such as painkillers or antibiotics.
To ensure that the correct dosage is administered, the polymers within the fibres can respond to a stimulus from the body, such as the altered pH value of a skin wound. “In response to a stimulus from the body, the fibers should release their drugs into the environment at a calculated degradation rate,” explained Empa researcher René Rossi in the statement.
The self-care materials can also respond to slight pressure or a stimulus of light, and could be used in plasters or garments. “The use of self-care fibers is conceivable for an enormous number of applications,” highlighted Rossi, citing examples such as the fibres acting as sensors to measure blood sugar.
The team of Empa researchers, colleagues from the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) and partners from associations and the economy plan to work on the medical fibres until 2020.