PAINT Ink and a 3D Printing Pen Could Help Accelerate Wound Healing

When the skin is cut, the body is able to react on its own, sending healing mechanisms to the wound such as clotting elements and white blood cells to prevent infection. However, when the wound is more extensive, an intervention is required to help the body heal itself better. Bandages or stitches are then placed on the skin to promote natural healing, while antibiotics are administered to prevent infection. These are the most widespread procedures, but a new technique could revolutionize the way wounds are treated using 3D printing and a new ink.

In a study published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Nanjing University researchers Dan Li, Xianguang Ding and Lianhui Wang have developed a revolutionary wound-healing ink designed to accelerate the body’s natural healing process. Dubbed portable bioactive ink for tissue healing, or PAINT, it is a bio-material capable of healing all forms of wounds. It is composed of a mixture of macrophage-derived vesicles and sodium alginate. These vesicles, secreted by white blood cells, play an important role in the formation of blood vessels and the reduction of inflammation during healing. This ink is applied directly to the wound and acts as a gel.

PAINT ink accelerates wound healing in both humans and animals (photo credits: Nanjing University)

PAINT Ink Speeds Up Healing

To deposit the ink on the wound, the researchers used a 3D printing pen capable of extruding the substance. According to the scientists, the bio-material solidifies in three minutes, creating a protective layer directly on the wound. It can then be placed over the sutured or bandaged wound to speed up the healing process. The results of their research are promising, with the researchers demonstrating that the ink promotes blood vessel formation and reduces inflammatory markers.