In a groundbreaking project that blends innovation with the urgent need for better burn wound management, Dr. Tugba Ozdemir’s class at South Dakota School of Mines is changing the game. Students in her Cell and Tissue Engineering elective class presented entrepreneurial ideas aimed at revolutionising the treatment of burn wounds—one of the most pressing medical challenges.
Modeled after the famous Shark Tank TV show, this project was all about turning biomedical engineering concepts into practical solutions for real-world problems. The burning question (pun intended) was: “Sharks, are you ready to invest?”
Revolutionising Burn Wound Management: The Role of Biomedical Engineering
Burns, particularly third-degree burns, remain one of the most difficult medical issues to address. Traditional treatments, such as skin grafts and wound care, are costly and often not effective enough to prevent infections or scarring. This is where cell and tissue engineering comes in. The goal is to develop wound dressings that not only help with healing but also detect infection and inflammation.
Dr. Tugba Ozdemir, an assistant professor of nanoscience and biomedical engineering, is pushing the boundaries of traditional healthcare solutions. Her class project focuses on using tissue engineering to create solutions for burn wound management. By developing innovative wound dressings and devices, the students are addressing an ongoing problem: the scarcity of organ donations and the high demand for treatments that promote faster, more effective recovery.
The “Burn Box”: How Innovation Works
The star of the class project was undoubtedly the Burn Box, a device designed to monitor the pH level of burn wounds. Why pH? Because pH levels are a tell-tale sign of a wound’s condition. Inflamed wounds tend to have a higher pH, while infected wounds show a lower pH level. By detecting these differences, the Burn Box aims to improve wound care and potentially prevent complications.
Here’s how it works:
- The Burn Box measures the total dissolved solids (TDS) in a burn wound.
- The data collected is used to calculate the pH of the wound, which can then help doctors assess whether the wound is inflamed or infected.
- The innovative design merges scientific principles with engineering to create a tool that can significantly improve wound management.
This project represents the fusion of cutting-edge biomedical engineering and technology, offering a real solution to a complex healthcare problem.
PHSense, KinoClear, and AromaFusion: The Full Range of Proposals
But the Burn Box wasn’t the only breakthrough that came from this class. The students presented other innovative ideas, each with the potential to impact the field of burn wound management significantly.
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KinoClear – A substance designed to be absorbed by natural tissue, it acts as a hydrogel made with pH indicators to provide real-time insights into wound conditions. KinoClear’s ability to blend seamlessly with natural tissue opens new possibilities for healing.
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pHSense – A soft, water-based material designed for burn wounds, pHSense can help detect changes in pH levels. Made with ISO-compliant pH indicators, this innovation aims to take the guesswork out of wound care, offering a precise and reliable method of monitoring burns.
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AromaFusion – A unique aromatic oil-infused antibacterial hydrogel designed to address both infection prevention and wound healing. The addition of aromatic oils offers soothing properties, while the antibacterial feature fights off infection.
While the Burn Box garnered significant attention, it was the AromaFusion hydrogel that impressed the most investors, securing the highest amount of funding out of the four proposals.
Classroom to Reality: Taking Proposals to the Next Level
The Shark Tank-style format was more than just a classroom exercise. The students are hoping to take these proposals to a broader stage—potentially attracting national and even international investors. The possibilities for these innovations are endless, and if the proposals find the right backing, they could lead to life-changing treatments in the field of burn wound management.
Dr. Ozdemir has high hopes for the future of these inventions. “The students have shown incredible creativity and entrepreneurial spirit,” she said. “These ideas are not just theoretical—they’re real solutions to a critical problem in healthcare.”
In fact, one of the key takeaways from this year’s project was the importance of grant writing. Dr. Ozdemir suggested that incorporating grant writing into future projects could provide students with the necessary tools to secure funding for their innovations and take them to market.
How This Innovation Will Change Burn Wound Treatment
Burn wound treatment has evolved over the years, but it still faces many challenges. The use of tissue engineering to develop wound dressings that can distinguish between infection and inflammation is a major step forward. Here’s how these innovations will change the game:
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More Effective Monitoring: The ability to monitor wound pH levels accurately can help medical professionals make informed decisions about treatment, potentially reducing the need for frequent interventions.
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Faster Healing Times: By integrating new materials like hydrogels and bio-compatible substances, the rate of healing could increase, leading to fewer complications and faster recovery for burn patients.
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Better Infection Control: The combination of pH-sensitive materials and antibacterial hydrogels can help prevent infection before it becomes a serious issue, reducing the risk of life-threatening complications.
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Cost-Effective Solutions: These innovations could lower the costs associated with burn treatment, offering affordable solutions for hospitals and healthcare providers.
Looking to the Future: Biomedical Engineering’s Potential
The work being done at South Dakota School of Mines exemplifies the potential of biomedical engineering to drive real change in healthcare. With an emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship, and practicality, the class is pushing boundaries in ways that could lead to life-changing advancements in the treatment of burn wounds.
As these ideas continue to evolve, there’s no telling how they could impact the future of medical treatment. The intersection of technology, engineering, and medicine holds the key to solving some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
Conclusion: Investing in the Future of Wound Management
These students are not just learning about biomedical engineering—they’re actively participating in it. Their proposals represent the next generation of solutions to some of the world’s most urgent medical challenges. With the right investment, these innovations could revolutionise burn wound management and transform the lives of countless patients.
For Dr. Tugba Ozdemir and her students, this project marks just the beginning. The future of burn wound care looks brighter than ever, thanks to the creativity and determination of the next generation of biomedical engineers.
Relevant Links for Further Reading:
- Burn Wound Management Innovations
- Biomedical Engineering Advancements
- Tissue Engineering for Wound Healing
Photo credit: Rapid City Kota-TV
