Grant: Collaborative Health Research Projects (NSERC partnered)

Problems and Solution: Chronic pressure ulcer (PU) is among the top five leading causes of re-hospitalization in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) which frequently leads to infections, low quality of life, depression, and even a risk of death. The cost of treating PU in patients with SCI in Canada and BC alone is estimated to be $365.7 and $49.7 million / year, respectively. Treatment of PUs is challenging due to 3 major problems:1) The presence of cavities and void spaces which makes them difficult to to treat by conventional regiments, 2) Locating over bony prominence and weight-bearing parts of the body with a high risk of recurrence, 3) A high chance of infection before and during treatment. To solve these difficulties, we have recently addressed the 1st problem by developing and using liquid nutritional scaffold called MeshFill in our ongoing pilot clinical trial. However, more studies are needed to address the other problems. Thus, in this study, a new product, referred as to MeshFill-Plus consists of: 1) liquid nutritional scaffold (MeshFill), 2) Spongy and flexible nano-fiberous skeleton and 3) Antibacterial nano-silver particles will be generated and tested for its functionally in infected and control wounds initially in the lab and then in a pre-clinical pig wound model which has a similar skin to human. Finally, evidence related to the safety and capability of the tested and optimized MeshFill-Plus will be submitted to University of British Columbia / Vancouver General Hospital Ethic Board for approval of small clinical feasibility study for treating 12 patients with PUs. The use MeshFill-Plus not only fills up all cavities/ tunnels from bottom up, it increases the physical strength of healed wounds and prevents the growth of any potential germs when applied on PUs. Conclusion: The result of this study makes it possible to assemble the components of MeshFill-Plus in a medical package for treating not only PUs, but also other non-healing wounds.