Technologists are developing something straight out of a sci-fi movie: Spray-on skin.
This new advance could make burnt skin heal in days rather than weeks. Avita Medical is expected to start clinical trials for ReCell technology in December.
It uses a piece of skin the size of a postage stamp-sized to heal a page’s-worth of burned skin, according to an article on DiscoveryNews.com.
The technology is exciting because it could save the lives of burn victims by reducing the risk of deadly infections as early as next year.
“We need to get these burn wounds closed quickly,” said John Geisel, a scientist at Avita Medical developing the technology. “Until we do, these wounds lose blood and a patient runs the risk of a life-threatening infection.”
According to Avita’s Web site, ReCell is a stand-alone, rapid, autologous cell harvesting, processing and delivery technology that enables surgeons and clinicians to treat skin defects using the patient’s own cells in a regenerative process, accelerating healing, minimizing scar formation, eliminating tissue rejection and reintroducing pigmentation to the skin.
The procedure is performed on site, utilizes a patented and proprietary ’spray-on’ application technique, takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and does not require laboratory facilities.
It’s been designed for use in a wide variety of wound, plastic, reconstructive, burn and cosmetic procedures.
Part of the funding for the clinical trial comes from a $1.4 million U.S. Army grant to help develop regenerative medicine for wounded soldiers returning from battle.