@inproceedings {19814, title = {An elastomeric mechanomodulatory dressing to prevent and treat skin scars}, journal = {EWMA 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {2019-03-29 00:00:00}, address = {Gothenburg, Sweden}, abstract = {

Aim: To study the potential of poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) elastomer as a new force-modulating dressing capable to control the wound mechanical environment and prevent cutaneous scar formation.\ 

Method: PGS elastomer was formed via polycondensation of glycerol and sebacic acid using different molar ratios (1:1 3:4 4:3), followed by acrylation. The chemical structures were confirmed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy, fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the molecular weight by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). \ Analysis of polymer viscosity was performed by rheological tests and PGS mechanical properties were modulated through the curing conditions.

Results/Discussion:\  PGS synthesis was confirmed by 1H-NMR with correspondent protons peaks from sebacic acid, glycerol and acrylate groups; and by FTIR with absorption bands at 2930 cm-1 and 2850 cm-1 corresponding to the alkene groups. DSC analysis showed that the crystallization and melting points varied with the PGS formulation. The melting point was observed at 30 $^{0}$C for PGS (1:1) and 32 $^{0}$C for PGS (3:4) although this temperature transition behaviour was not detected for PGS (4:3) in the range of temperature studied (-20 $^{0}$C -100 $^{0}$C). The crystallization point was observed to vary from -7 $^{0}$C to -17 $^{0}$C with PGS molar ratios. Rheology measurements show that all PGS presented a shear-thinning behaviour. \ Increasing curing time led to increased material stiffness.

Conclusion: The developed PGS elastomer present skin-mimicking mechanical properties to counteract the wound healing forces and ultimately prevent scarring.\ 

}, keywords = {elastomeric dressing, scar tissue, skin}, issn = {n/a}, author = {Fernandes, M. G. and da Silva, L. P. and Aroso, I. M. and Reis, R. L. and Marques, A. P.} }