Temporary artificial skin

Temporary artificial skin for therapy of bums and ulcers, component of dental implants... 

Temporary artificial skin Therapy of burns, ulcers. (54, 55)... 

Microbial synthesis of cellulosic fibres affords the opportunities to create products with unique properties suitable for practical application in human and veterinary medicine. Due to its high water absorption capacity, high mechanical strength in the wet state, substantial permeability for liquids and gases, wet cellulose can be used as a temporary artificial skin to treat severe skin burns. 

Another important example of the diflFerential adhesiveness which protein-dominated surfaces can display, is in the development of artificial skin especially for wound dressings and for temporary covers of extensive burns. C. W. Hall and co-workers 17) showed that relative tissue adhesion to mechanically identical velour fabrics constructed of various materials follows the order predicted by the critical surface tensions of construction material. 

Temporary replacement skins have also been studied by using velour fabrics (usually a nylon or Dacron) backed by a polymeric film (silicone or protein) (36). synthetic polypeptides (37). collagen (38). and dextran hydrogels (39). These replacement materials are only for short term use and could be classed as wound dressings. Although they do prevent gross infection and body fluid loss, they do not duplicate any of the other functions of the skin. A true artificial skin does not yet exist. 

Developments in the u.se of biodegradable polymers in biomedical and surgical applications are reviewed. Applications discussed include tissue engineering, bone fracture fixation devices, resorbable sutures, vascular grafts, temporary barriers for the prevention of postoperative adhesion, artificial skin and systems for controlled drug release. 92 refs. 

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