Bacterial Cellulose-Polyurethane Composite for Wound Moisture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound dressings made of bacterial cellulose and polyurethane face issues such as lack of waterproof and antibacterial properties, high moisture vapor transmission, and inadequate mechanical properties, limiting their effectiveness in maintaining a moist environment and promoting wound healing.

Innovation Solution

A bacterial cellulose-polyurethane composite material with a gradient structure is produced by subjecting bacterial cellulose microfibrils to solvent exchange, followed by a polyaddition reaction with polymeric polyol and diisocyanate to create a composite with a macroporous and microporous layer, enhancing mechanical properties and hydrophilicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If bacterial cellulose hydrogel is used as dressing material to utilize water absorbability, then water absorption and moisture retention are improved, but waterproof and antibacterial properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater absorptionVSAvoidmicroorganism penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines bacterial cellulose with polyurethane to create a composite dressing material. The polyurethane component provides waterproof and antibacterial properties, while the bacterial cellulose maintains its water absorption and moisture retention capabilities. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The dressing is designed with different regions having different properties: the outer layer provides waterproof and antibacterial protection, while the inner layer maintains high moisture absorption. This spatial differentiation of material properties allows the dressing to simultaneously achieve both water absorption and protection against microorganisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If bacterial cellulose hydrogel is used as dressing material, then water holding capacity is improved, but moisture vapor transmission rate increases causing moisture loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater holding capacityVSAvoidmoisture vapor transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The polyurethane component in the composite dressing provides controlled moisture vapor transmission properties, preventing excessive moisture loss while the bacterial cellulose maintains high water holding capacity. The composite structure balances moisture retention and vapor transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The dressing material's moisture vapor transmission rate is optimized by adjusting the composition and structure of the composite, creating a balance between maintaining moisture and allowing appropriate vapor transmission to prevent condensation and infection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If polyurethane foam is used as dressing material to control moisture vapor transmission, then waterproof properties are improved, but biocompatibility and hydrophilicity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof propertyVSAvoidbiocompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite where polyurethane provides waterproof properties while bacterial cellulose enhances biocompatibility and hydrophilicity. The combination allows the dressing to be both waterproof and biocompatible, resolving the contradiction between these properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different layers or regions of the dressing have different material compositions: the outer layer provides waterproof protection with polyurethane, while the inner layer in contact with the wound has higher bacterial cellulose content to ensure biocompatibility and hydrophilicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If polyurethane foam is used as dressing material, then mechanical strength is improved, but hydrophilicity and water absorbability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidwater absorbability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The composite dressing combines polyurethane's mechanical strength with bacterial cellulose's water absorbability. The bacterial cellulose network provides hydrophilic pathways for water absorption while the polyurethane matrix maintains structural integrity and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composite material effectively prevents water and bacteria while maintaining a moist wound environment, improving wound healing through controlled moisture vapor transmission and exudate management, with enhanced biocompatibility and mechanical strength.

Implementation Method 1

subjecting bacterial cellulose microfibrils to an organic solvent exchange treatment to obtain a complex A and a complex B having different concentrations of bacterial cellulose microfibrils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvent exchange: Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Implementation Method 2

adding a polymeric polyol and a diisocyanate compound under the condition of an oil bath for polyaddition reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolyaddition reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12441882B2Bacterial cellulose-polyurethane composite material, preparation method therefor, and application thereof
Publication Date: 2025.10.14 HAINAN GUANGYU BIOTECH

AI summary

A bacterial cellulose-polyurethane composite material, preparation method, and use are described. The preparation method comprises: performing organic solvent exchange on bacterial cellulose microfibers, and obtaining bacterial cellulose microfiber composite substance A and composite substance B of different concentrations; under oil bath conditions, adding a polymer polyol and a diisocyanate compound and performing an addition polymerization reaction, obtaining, via the reaction, a bacterial cellulose composite polyurethane foam prepolymer; and subsequently performing curing and obtaining the bacterial cellulose-polyurethane composite material. By combining bacterial cellulose microfibers and polyurethane foam material, the mechanical properties of the composite material are significantly improved; the large amount of hydroxyl groups on the surfaces of the bacterial cellulose nanofibers effectively strengthens the hydrophilicity and water absorption capability of the composite material; and the favorable tissue affinity of bacterial cellulose can also improve the biocompatibility of polyurethane material.