Northeast Forestry University Seeks to Transfer Patent for Multifunctional Photothermal Antibacterial Self-Healing Hydrogel Dressing at RMB 2.1875 Million
Recently, Northeast Forestry University released a public notice on the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, proposing to transfer its invention patents“A Preparation Method for an Ultrafast Self-Healing Hydrogel Dressing with Combined Photothermal and Antibacterial Effects”Promote commercialization through equity investment, with an intended conversion amount of RMBRMB 2.1875 million, with pricing determined through valuation. This patent is held byHuang Zhanhua, Qi Houjuan, and four othersCo-developed by the inventors, with proceeds from the granted rights allocated to Northeast Forestry University5%, Huang Zhanhua68%, Qi Houjuan27%proportionate allocation.
As a core innovative technology, this hydrogel dressing is based onCarboxymethyl Chitosan (CMCS) and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)as the framework, combined withDopamine (DA)Prepared via in situ synthesis and oxidative self-polymerization using adhesives and crosslinkers, its core advantage lies in achieving synergistic antibacterial effects through photothermal therapy and drug delivery. It features ultra-rapid self-healing within one minute, high adhesiveness, excellent biocompatibility, and strong fluid-absorbing hemostatic capabilities. This material precisely meets the therapeutic needs of both acute and chronic wounds, effectively overcoming the limitations of traditional dressings, such as single-functionality, susceptibility to damage, and suboptimal healing outcomes.
As the core physical barrier protecting the human body from the external environment, the integrity of the skin is directly linked to overall health. Once injured, it not only causes fluid loss and disrupts normal tissue metabolism but also predisposes individuals to bacterial infections, which can lead to complications such as inflammation and ulcers, and in severe cases, even life-threatening conditions. Therefore,Wound TreatmentIt has become a significant challenge in the global clinical field, causing physiological suffering and financial burden to patients while also placing higher demands on healthcare systems.
Currently, the most commonly used clinical wound care regimens primarily rely on traditional dressings (such as gauze, bandages, and conventional film materials). Although these regimens provide basic wound coverage and protection, they have significant functional limitations: their functionality is singular, offering only passive isolation from contaminants without actively participating in key processes such as antibacterial action and wound healing promotion. Furthermore, they tend to adhere to the wound bed during dressing changes, causing secondary injury and inducing inflammation. This is particularly problematic for extensive wounds or those located in mobile areas such as joints and axillae, where the dressing change process is time-consuming and painful, thereby further exacerbating the patient’s psychological burden.
Although hydrogel dressings, which have emerged in recent years, offer advantages through a moist environment created by their three-dimensional network structure and have achieved certain breakthroughs in promoting cell growth and reducing fluid loss, they still fail to address core pain points: they are prone to cracking, damage, and aging under stress and strain, leading to performance degradation; most products focus solely on optimizing mechanical properties or biocompatibility, lacking designs for synergistic physical and chemical therapy, resulting in limited antibacterial efficacy and suboptimal wound healing efficiency; meanwhile, issues such as complex manufacturing processes and high costs persist, making it difficult to meet the comprehensive clinical demands for dressings that “maintain a moist environment, enhance epidermal migration, promote angiogenesis, provide strong adhesion with easy removal, and deliver precise antibacterial action.”
In clinical practice, ideal wound dressings urgently need to overcome current technological bottlenecks. They must exhibit excellent biocompatibility, strong adhesiveness, and mechanical stability to meet the application requirements of wounds at various anatomical sites. Furthermore, they should integrate multiple functionalities, including antibacterial activity, hemostasis, and promotion of healing, thereby enhancing the quality and efficiency of wound repair through synergistic therapeutic strategies. Meanwhile, simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing costs are essential to provide safer, more efficient, and more comfortable treatment options for patients with acute and chronic wounds.
This CPBD hydrogel dressing technology is based onDynamic Construction Theoryas the core, achieving multiple technological breakthroughs and innovations, with core advantages concentrated inMaterial Design, Functional Integration, and Application AdaptationThree Major Dimensions:
InStructural Innovationaspect,A multiple dynamic cross-linking system coexisting with boronate ester bonds, imine bonds, and hydrogen bonds was constructed via in situ synthesis and oxidative self-polymerization.The dressing achieves complete self-healing within one minute after being cut, with a self-healing efficiency of 80% after one minute under cyclic stretching, thoroughly addressing the pain points of traditional dressings that are prone to damage and aging under stress. Its mechanical properties closely match those of human skin (tensile stress: 39.48 kPa; elongation at break: 246.26%), making it particularly suitable for wounds in highly mobile areas such as joints and axillae.
Meanwhile,Its Rich Three-Dimensional Network Structure Endows It with Superior Liquid Absorption Capacity, with swelling ratios reaching as high as 4215.00%, 2057.48%, and 1203.20% in deionized water, physiological saline, and phosphate-buffered saline, respectively. It not only efficiently absorbs wound exudate but also achieves rapid hemostasis through the positive charge of CMCS, thereby providing a stable environment for wound healing.
InFunctional IntegrationOn,Innovative adoption of the synergistic strategy of "CMCS intrinsic antibacterial + drug + photothermal":Under near-infrared light irradiation, polydopamine can be induced to generate local hyperthermia at 40.8°C, while simultaneously enabling spatiotemporal control over the release of antibiotics (such as amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride) and plant-derived active agents (such as tannic acid and anthocyanins). This approach achieves a 100% bactericidal rate against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with antibacterial efficacy lasting for more than 7 days.
Additionally,The dressing exhibits excellent biocompatibility., with cell viability exceeding 100% and a hemolysis rate below 1.75%, the wound healing rate reached 97.4% at 14 days in animal experiments, achieving full-process coverage of “antibacterial action–hemostasis–wound healing promotion.”
InApplication Adaptation and Process OptimizationIn terms of performance, the dressing exhibits strong adhesion to various materials, including metal, glass, and porcine skin, thereby addressing the challenge of wound fixation. The preparation process requires no intricate operations, features mild conditions and minimal by-products, and leverages microfluidic technology for precise control over material ratios, thus reducing the difficulty of scalable manufacturing. Its multifunctional integration thoroughly breaks through the limitations of traditional dressings with single functions and the insufficient synergistic therapeutic effects of existing hydrogels, achieving a leap from “passive protection” to “active, precision therapy.”
In summary, this project innovatively develops a multifunctional CPBD hydrogel dressing centered on a dynamic cross-linking structure and a photothermal-drug synergistic system. It addresses the limitations of traditional dressings, such as single functionality, susceptibility to damage, and suboptimal healing outcomes. The dressing boasts advantages including ultra-rapid self-healing within 1 minute, 100% antibacterial efficacy, and a 97.4% wound healing rate, while featuring a mild fabrication process suitable for scalable production.
As global demand for wound care continues to grow rigidly, and given the high reliance on imported advanced dressings, this technology—leveraging its cost-effectiveness and integrated multifunctionality—can rapidly penetrate clinical and home-care settings. It holds strong potential for import substitution, is poised to fill domestic market gaps, and will create significant clinical and economic value.
In the current market for medical hydrogel dressings, foreign brands dominate the high-end segment by virtue of their technological expertise, among which3M Hydrocolloid Hydrogel DressingIt is a representative product widely used in clinical practice. With hydrocolloid as its core base material, the product focuses on maintaining a moist wound environment and minimizing secondary trauma during dressing changes. It is extensively applied in scenarios such as acute wound care and postoperative incision management. Owing to its mature manufacturing processes and consistent product performance, it has gained widespread recognition across hospitals at all levels.
Among domestic hydrogel dressing brands,Silicone Hydrogel DressingIt is the mainstream choice for both home use and the inclusive clinical market. Featuring a silicone-based adhesive matrix, this product optimizes dressing-to-skin conformity, reduces pain during removal, and offers moderate exudate absorption. With its affordable price and broad applicability, it is well-suited for daily care needs such as minor wounds and abrasions.
Overall, the current hydrogel dressing market presents“Foreign Capital Leads the High-End Segment, Domestic Products Provide Affordable Supplementation, and Innovative Products Await Market Entry”landscape. With the growing number of patients with chronic wounds and the advancement of clinical treatment concepts, next-generation hydrogel dressings featuring multifunctional integration, precision therapy, and high adaptability have emerged to fill a market gap.