New 4D printing dressing to treat skin scars - Dressing4scars

Project summary

Additive manufacturing (AM) has been highlighted as a key technology with huge potential in different sectors. While AM technologies have been considering only the initial state of the printed object, assuming that it is static and inanimate, a new concept, 4D bioprinting, in which “time” is integrated as the fourth dimension has recently emerged. Time is not related to the duration of the printing, but rather to the fact that the printed products continue to evolve over time acting as smart responsive scaffolds. The development of new customized dressings capable of responding to skin wound biomechanics represents a major challenge but also a disruptive approach to treat scars and minimize scarring during healing. Thus, Dressing4scars aims to cover that niche by following a “4D printing” approach to develop smart responsive skin dressings that are capable of changing “shape/mechanical cues” while new skin is being formed, counteracting the pro-scarring mechanical forces.