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QLK5-2002-01330
Biomedical Textiles from Dibutyrylchitin and Chitin - CHITOMED |
| Contract No: | QLK5-2002-01330 |
| Project Type: | RS (Research and Technological Development Project) |
| Start Date: | 01-01-2003 |
| Duration: | 36 Months |
| Total Cost: | 1,978,388 EUR |
| EC Contribution: | 1,364,924 EUR |
| Scientific Officer: | Ciaran MANGAN |
Abstract
There is a lack of innovative biomaterials that aid in regeneration of wound tissue on the European market. This project aims to design and develop optimal textile forms for medical applications made from dibutyrylchitin (DBC) and chitin derived from fishery by-products. Recently a method for the synthesis of DBC has been developed. DBC is easily soluble in common recyclable solvents and has both film and fibre forming properties. Chitin can be produced as regenerated chitin (RC). These products are assumed to have wound healing properties. This opens the way for the development of novel functional biomaterials made from DBC and RC. Technologies for the production of fibres, yarns, non-wovens and knitted fabrics will be developed. The textiles will be designed to requirements and characterised on mechanical, physico-chemical and biochemical-medical (in vitro and in vivo) properties. Applications for approval as medical products will be initiated.
Objectives
Chemical and textile companies will make joint efforts with universities to develop the production of DBC, spinning technology of DBC and mixed DBC/cellulose fibres and yarns, production of DBC textiles, regenerated chitin in similar manufactured products. An industrial company active in the medical field will co-operate with laboratories/hospitals, where the bioactivity and biocompatibility of these novel biomaterials can be assessed. The project will generate novel biomaterials and medical items, that accelerate the wound healing with no scar formation or undesirable effects, are easy to handle and could be prepared as self-adhering dressings. This kind of dressing should reduce the pain and suffering of patients. The project is oriented and targeted to improve the competitiveness of European industry and enhancing the quality of life of the EU citizen through the sustainable production and rational utilisation of natural resources with the special emphasis on new technologies.
Description of the work
The work plan is structured in such way as to make the research results really applicable commercially. The core of the project is the chemistry, textile technology, biochemistry and investigation of biological/medical properties of obtained forms of biomaterials. Six industrial companies and three universities, in five countries will carry out this work. The work plan is divided in work packages as follows:
Management, exploitation of results and Technology Implementation Plan
This work will start with the selection of commercial chitins (from seafood waste) according to the criteria of purity, constant quality reliability supply and suitability for transformation into dubutyrylchitin. The latter will be synthesized from butyric anhydride and chitin, at room temperature, and spun into fibres and yarns. The fibres and yarns will be used to manufacture non-wovens and knitted biomaterials. They will be characterized on biochemical/medical properties in terms of biocompatibility.
Contacts
Coordinator
Participant
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