This study was a successful endeavor to develop and investigate the suitability of a bioadhesive wound-healing gel based on gelatin for first-aid purposes. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used to prepare a denser phase of gelatin chains, and diethyl ether (DEE) was used to introduce high volatility to the solution. The prepared solution was stable in the storage container but rapidly formed (within 3 s) a protective and bioadhesive gel around the wound surface by being sprayed over the wound. Besides, it also suppressed pain and showed moderate antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. It was also found highly biocompatible and non-toxic. All the results revealed that the prepared solution could be an effective candidate for treating minor injuries or burn, especially for a first-aid purpose.
There is increasing interest in the use of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) for orthopedic and dental implant applications due to its elastic modulus (close to that of bone), biocompatibility and radiolucent properties. However, PEEK is still categorized as bioinert owing to its low integration with surrounding tissues. Methods such as depositing hydroxyapatite (HA) onto the PEEK surface could increase its bioactivity. However, depositing HA without damaging the PEEK substrate is still required further investigation. Friction stir processing is a solid-state processing method that is widely used for composite substrate fabrication. In this study, a pinless tool was used to fabricate a HA/PEEK surface nanocomposite for orthopedic and dental applications. Microscopical images of the modified substrate confirmed homogenous distribution of the HA on the surface of the PEEK. The resultant HA/PEEK surface nanocomposites demonstrated improved surface hydrophilicity coupled with better apatite formation capacity (as shown in the simulated body fluid) in comparison to the pristine PEEK, making the newly developed material more suitable for biomedical application. This surface deposition method that is carried out at low temperature would not damage the PEEK substrate and thus could be a good alternative for existing commercial methods for PEEK surface modification.