Engineering news
Created by researchers at Montana Technological University, the machine is a portable ‘electrospinning’ device which can reportedly safely deposit fibre bandages and drugs directly onto biological surfaces.
The machine uses air to spray the fibres onto the surface, like a can of spray paint.
“In spray painting, pressurised gas forces direct particles toward a surface, creating a sort of deposited material,” said mechanical engineer Lane Huston. “Like spray painting, the Estad (electrostatic and air driven) device is used by directing its nozzle at the desired surface during operation, causing a fibre mat to be deposited onto that surface.”
Electrospinning is a well-developed method for creating polymer fibres for a wide variety of applications but it requires very high voltages, making direct deposition dangerous due to shock hazard. The new portable device uses a confined electric field to interact safely with living tissue.
The bandage material and medicine used can be chosen on demand, said paper author Huston. This flexibility could make “modular and adaptable” medicine delivery possible in remote locations.
The researchers tested the device on an incision on pig skin, as well as a gloved human hand. The team said it was the first demonstration of depositing medicine-delivering fibres directly onto a wound site safely.
The engineers said they hope the new technology could help doctors and paramedics with wound treatment in rural areas, where immediate medical care might not be readily available.
The new device was described in the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B.
Want the best engineering stories delivered straight to your inbox? The Professional Engineering newsletter gives you vital updates on the most cutting-edge engineering and exciting new job opportunities. To sign up, click here.
Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.