Wound Healing Compositions Comprising Biocompatible Cellulose Hydrogel Membranes and Methods of Use Thereof

Unmet Need
Corneal lacerations are a common type of eye injury. These can occur in varying degrees of severity, and in many cases the wound is non-self-sealing. This type of injury requires significant intervention including sutures and, in some cases, many layers of grafts. During the course of treatment patients are required to wear bandages that can obstruct vision and prevent an injured individual from completing essential tasks. Thus, there is a need for an ocular bandage with healing capabilities that is high in transparency and strength.
 
Technology Overview
Johns Hopkins University researchers have optimized the transparency, strength, and healing potential of a cellulose-based material for use in corneal wound healing. The material is cost-effective, promotes cell growth, and is biocompatible. Furthermore, the optical, biomechanical, and biological properties represent an improvement over current technologies and therefore the invention has great potential to be used as a therapeutic drug-releasing eye patch for corneal repair following injury/surgery.
 
Stage of Development
The technology has been prototyped and characterized in terms of optical transparency, heat flow, and biomechanical properties.
 
 

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