Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Spray-On Skin With Skin Cell Spray-Transplantation
Spray-on skin is under development at the University of Pittsburgh for use with burn victims. The mortality rate for victims suffering from full thickness -3rd degree- burns is high, due to the limits in availability of healthy skin cell area.
( Skin Cell Spray-Transplantation )
Biotechnology and tissue engineering methods lead to the use of skin cell cultures, taken from the patient’s healthy skin areas and expanded to cell sheets in Petri dishes. These methods, however, are not yet advanced enough to help in more severe cases. Pathophysiologic problems include serous fluid blisters between the transplanted tissue sheets and the wound and the subsequent loss of cell areas, non optimal cell nutrition in the early phase after cell transfer, water- and electrolyte dearrangements in the wound, toxin accumulation, and pH dearrangements.
The new skin cell transdermal spray technique developed by Jörg C. Gerlach, MD, PhD at Berlin University Hospital, Germany and at McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh can solve these problems.
Use of the connective tissue skin fibroblast cells additionally and in parallel to skin keratinocytes, allowing better tissue reorganization in the wound (cell biology approach).
Reduction of in vitro culture time to prevent differentiation of the basal keratinocytes in the in vitro phase. A faster and earlier therapy start is possible by islet-like distribution of single cells in the wound (cell application approach).
Application of the “tissue engineering in the wound“ approach, enabled by the use of a temporary hollow fiber membrane capillary bed, perfused with oxygenated nutrition and dialysis medium (wound healing approach), also allowing drug delivery supporting wound healing and antibiotic therapy to address infections. These capillaries are placed during the initial two days above the sprayed cells and below the wound dressing (biotechnology approach).
Science fiction fans were familiarized with the idea of spray-on skin in the works of Philip K. Dick. In his 1960 story Dr. Futurity, he wrote about art-derm:
Over her lacerated right shoulder he sprayed art-derm; it sealed off the open wound, halted bleeding, and prohibited infection.
Star Trek fans may recall the protoplaser used in the TNG episode Frame of Mind.
Via PTEI. Thanks also to Winchell Chung (aka @nyrath on Twitter).
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 5/7/2010)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 1 )
Related News Stories - (" Medical ")
ErythroMer Artificial Blood
'My chemists are all working on the preparation of the artificial blood.' - Dr. David H. Keller, M.D.
MouthPad Supports Head And Tongue Tracking
'The operation that had transformed half his body... had located the control switchboard in his teeth.'- Alfred Bester, 1956.
Drug Induces Hibernation-Like State In Humans
'... drugged and chilled and stowed in sleep tanks.' - Robert Heinlein, 1951.
Drug To Regenerate Teeth In Humans
'We want to do something to help those who are suffering from tooth loss or absence,' said lead researcher Katsu Takahashi.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Nuclear Plant Restarted To Power AI To Feed Us Dreams
'...Anything was possible in my imaginary environment.'
SpaceX's Starman Tesla Roadster In Space
'Somewhere in space, a chrome and blue automobile raced the green light of Earth.'
Pivotal Blackfly Electric Aircraft Lifts And Hovers
'That explains how it was so easy for me to remain motionless in midair...'
CORLEO Robotic Horse Concept Looks Ready To Ride
Imagine digging your heels in to a steam horse!
Who First Thought Of A Tin Foil Hat?
'We had discovered that metal was relatively impervious to the telepathic effect.'
Warp Drive Tech Back On The Menu
'Detailed plans for the construction of the Gundstetter-Halone warp drive were flowing.'
Huawei Pura X Folding Phattie Phone
Why can't we get more innovative phone configurations?
Sleep Pods At Daxing International Airport
'Do not waste your priceless company on the unappreciative folds of a sleep pod...'
Robot Baristas Learn Their Trade Without Paying Royalties
'...so we've promised him a generous pension from the royalties.'
JAXA Int Ball 2 Coming Right Along As Star Wars Remote
'Hocus-pocus religions and archaic weapons are no substitute for a good blaster at your side.'
Robot Bricklayer Or Passer-By Bricklayer?
'Oscar picked up a trowel. 'I'm the tool for the mortar,' the little trowel squeaked cheerfully.'
Robot Gas Station Attendant Pumps Gas For You
'... he waited for the robotrix attendant to finish fueling up his ship.'
Engineer Creates Crazy Motorized Track Hospital Bed
The Roujin Z system provides care to fully bedridden patients - and then some!
Tiny Flying Robot Weighs Just One Gram
'Aerostat meant anything that hung in the air. This was an easy trick to pull off nowadays.'
Some Ringworld Configurations Are Stable
'The Ringworld had no horizon. There was no line where the land curved away from the sky.'
TRANSFORM Dynamic Furniture Concept Becomes What You Need
'An adjustment panel outside the door would cause it to extrude various appurtenances in memory plastic...'
