Bandage Might Help Repair Injuries

Gelatin and polymers combine to help cells rebuild

SATURDAY, July 6, 2002 (HealthDayNews) -- In the future, bandages might do more than protect a wound from infection.

In fact, a University of Wisconsin researcher has already developed a covering that promotes healing.

The bandage is sort of "a molecular version of Jell-O salad -- it's made from gelatin, turns into a solid and has stuff suspended in it. But, instead of containing marshmallows and chunks of fruit, it has molecules and cells that repair damaged tissue," states a university press release.

John Kao, a University of Wisconsin-Madison pharmaceutical science and biomedical engineering professor, says any injury disrupts the body's mechanism for repairing itself. His bandage is designed to help the body get on with repairs.

Because it comes in liquid form and solidifies after it's applied, the bandage is easier to use than traditional bandages.

More information

The McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois has a guide to caring for wounds.

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