US army funding creation of delivery tech for IED injuries
Greater use of improvised explosive devices (IED) in modern warfare has resulted in increased limb loss and severe burns. To further treatments targeting the pain and infection associated with these injuries the US army has awarded Crosslink with a two-year, $5.25m (€4.09m) contract.
Crosslink will use biocompatible electroactive polymers (EAP) to create a controlled release drug delivery system. This will administer a therapeutic, stored in a reservoir, at a controlled rate and frequency to a precise region of the body.
Donald Landy, vice president of government relations and operations for Crosslink, said the device uses “the diverse properties of EAP-based technology that allows for the intelligent signalling of its stimulus-response mechanism in time-critical war circumstances”.
An application of the device is the treatment of fungal and Pseudomonas infections. In patients with serious burns these infections can spread from the site of the wound to the bloodstream. These infections account for a substantial proportion of deaths associated to serious burns.
By loading an antifungal agent and a Gram-negative antibiotic into one device, which releases them simultaneously at a controlled rate, the researchers believe they can minimise or eliminate secondary infections.
Using one, simply operated device to target both infections would allow the technology to be used to treat acute injuries in the field, as well as sub-acute injuries in mobile and permanent hospitals.
Once created, the device could have applications delivering a diverse range of therapeutics, in combat and civilian environments. Potential developments include patient-specific dosing via electronic communication by a remote physician, and integrated sensors that signal release.
Crosslink is performing the research in conjunction with its partners at the Center for Biomedical and Life Sciences at Missouri State University, US.
