Researchers at the University of Mississippi are developing a 3D-printed wound patch designed to support the healing of chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers and pressure sores. The customizable scaffold delivers biodegradable antimicrobial compounds over time, potentially offering a new approach to treating wounds that are difficult to heal.
The technology is being developed by a research team from the university’s School of Pharmacy, including Professor of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Michael Repka, postdoctoral researcher Sateesh Vemula and doctoral candidate Nouf Alshammari. Their findings were recently published in the European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics.
The challenge of chronic wounds
Chronic wounds remain a major clinical challenge, particularly for people with diabetes or limited mobility. Reduced blood flow and oxygen supply can slow the body’s natural healing processes, increasing the risk of infection and causing wounds to persist for months or even years.
“People with conditions such as diabetes often experience wounds that heal very slowly,” explains Vemula. “Reduced oxygen supply in the tissue makes it easier for bacteria to grow, which further complicates the healing process.” The research team aims to address these challenges with a patch-like scaffold that protects the wound while actively supporting tissue regeneration.
Natural materials
The scaffold is produced using 3D printing technology and is designed to be breathable and adaptable to different wound shapes. The structure is based on chitosan, a natural polymer derived from crustaceans, insects and fungi.
Chitosan has several properties that make it suitable for wound care. It can stimulate skin cell growth, reduce inflammation and provide antimicrobial effects. To enhance infection control, the researchers incorporated plant-derived antimicrobial compounds into the material. The patch gradually releases these natural antibacterial agents while shielding the wound from contamination.
Repka notes that this approach also avoids some drawbacks of conventional wound dressings. “Many bandages are produced using organic solvents, which can negatively affect wound healing, especially when applied directly to damaged tissue,” he explains. “Our manufacturing process does not require organic solvents.” The use of plant-based antimicrobials may also help reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance associated with prolonged use of conventional antibiotics.
Personalized wound care through 3D printing
One of the key advantages of the technology is the ability to tailor the scaffold to the size and location of an individual wound. Because the patches are produced with a 3D printer, the structure can be customized for different anatomical areas and wound types.
“The materials we use are biodegradable,” says Alshammari. “Over time, the scaffold gradually integrates into the skin and is absorbed by the body.” This property may also enable the technology to be used for wounds inside the body, where traditional dressings are not practical. Since the material dissolves naturally, it would not need to be surgically removed.
While conventional bandages remain suitable for many wounds, the researchers see potential for this technology in more complex cases. The ability to print wound scaffolds on demand could also make the approach useful in remote environments. “In settings such as military operations or field medicine, you could produce a scaffold directly where it is needed,” Repka explains. “If a generator is available to power the 3D printer, the patch could be printed based on the specific wound.”
Toward clinical use
Before the technology can be introduced in clinical practice, further testing and regulatory approval will be required. The researchers note that additional studies and evaluation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are necessary.
“The ultimate goal is to translate this research into a solution that benefits patients,” Repka says. If successful, the 3D-printed scaffold could offer clinicians a new tool for managing chronic wounds. An area of healthcare where innovative treatment options remain urgently needed.
Oxygen-releasing gel
Last month, researchers at the University of California, Riverside developed an oxygen-releasing gel that may improve the treatment of chronic wounds. Around 12 million people worldwide suffer from wounds that do not heal within a month, and in about 20% of cases this can lead to amputation. A major cause is oxygen deficiency in damaged tissue, which keeps wounds in a prolonged inflammatory phase and increases infection risk.
The newly developed gel acts as a small electrochemical “oxygen factory.” Combined with a tiny battery, it splits water molecules to continuously release oxygen directly into the wound for up to a month. In preclinical studies with diabetic and older mice, treated wounds closed within about 23 days. The gel also contains choline, which helps regulate immune responses and reduce excessive inflammation.
