A Novel Solution-Blow-Spinning Device Cosprays Autologous Skin Cell Suspensions and Polymer in the Treatment of Full Thickness Wounds in a Murine Model.

INTRODUCTION

Autologous skin cell suspensions (ASCSs) effectively treat burn wounds but require careful wound care to prevent leakage. Solution-blow-spun (SBS) produces polymer fiber mats with varied flexibility, adhesion, and absorption, but current commercial airbrushes have limited control over application. Previous attempts to combine ASCS with SBS polymers have only evaluated sequential application.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a novel SBS device designed to simultaneously spray cells and dressings with controlled pressure and deposition rates.

METHODS

Full-thickness 6 mm punch biopsies were created on C57/BL/6 mice and stented. ASCS was prepared from pigmented transgenic mouse donor skin. Cell viability was tested under various spray pressures (5-30 psi), polymer solutions, and suspension media conditions. Five treatment groups were compared: transparent film adhesive alone, ASCS applied by conventional syringe with airbrush-sprayed polymer, or ASCS applied with the novel device without polymer, with polymers sprayed iteratively or simultaneously. Wounds were analyzed on postoperative day 5 using histologic and molecular techniques to assess healing and cell retention.

RESULTS

ASCS viability remained stable (67.1 ± 2.1%) at pressures up to 30 psi. Device-iterative spray wounds showed the highest mean epithelial tongue length (2480 μm) and were significantly longer than control wounds (1566 ± 212.5 μm, P = 0.03). Cosprayed wounds demonstrated significantly more epithelial islands compared to controls (P < 0.05). Transgene polymerase chain reaction identified highest positivity (71.4%) in the device iterative spray group.

CONCLUSIONS

The SBS prototype delivers viable cells and polymer dressings with controlled pressure and rate, though cospray is limited by solvent cytotoxicity. This device is advance in controlled delivery of cells and dressings for wound treatment.