1. Introduction
Cellulose nanofibrils (nanocellulose) are the smallest fibres into which we can decompose cellulose. They are made from wood or from bactéria from agricultural or food production; they are able for 3D printing pastes because an appropriate mix of cellulose nanofibrils and water is very viscous, and can contain much water, up to 50% [1] .
On drying out, these pastes produce very strong and biodegradable materials. The properties of the structure (moisture, strength and flexibility) can be modified through manipulation of the cross-links between the fibrils mainly using hyaluronic acid, condroitin sulfate and alginate with calcium [2] [3] .
Structures can now be made flexible, strong and porous, and something similar. Manufacturing a flexible structure of bio-based materials is one challenge, since the final object becomes hard and becomes more rigid as it dries [3] .
Nanocellulose increases the opportunities for creating new materials in wound healing therapy. But this development still requires moisture tests to develops 3D printing with cellulose nanofibrils for medical and biotechnology applications. There is research in developing a solution where a protein attached to a 3D-printed material can help to promote fibroblast around a wound. The aim is to obtain material for wound healing therapy to remain flexible instead of stiff [4] .
Another development in this area is to obtain conductive materials using 3D printing, cellulose nanofibrils and carbon nanotubes. Using two gels, one conductive and one isolant, keeping dry process, researchers produced three-dimensional circuits for eletronic applications [5] .
3D printing is a additive manufacturing that can make revolution in the industry. It is an efficient method for complex structure and fewer weight materials. The precision of the technology turns it possible to produce newest materials with high technology than older production techniques [6] [7] [8] .
Several articles were published by our group since 2015 using Nanoskin membranes for wound healing treatment with successful results in diabetic ulcers, car and other accidents, amputation required ulcers [4] [5] [6] .
In this work, it was showed recent wound healing in Vinous Ulcer with kidney and other health complications using bacterial cellulose 3D print.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Materials
The bacterial cellulose raw material was provided from Innovatec’s (São Carlos SP, Brazil). Chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, sodium alginate and calcium chloride were purchased from Sigma Aldrich.
2.2. Methods
1) Synthesis of bacterial cellulose and bacterial cellulose/chondroitin sulfate/hyaluronic acid
The acetic fermentation process was achieved by using glucose as a carbohydrate source. Results of this process were vinegar and a nanobiocellulose biomass. The modifying process was based on the addition of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate (1% w/w) to the culture medium before bacteria inoculation. Bacterial cellulose (BC) was produced by Gram-negative bacteria Gluconacetobacter xylinus, which could be obtained from the culture medium in the pure 3-D structure, consisting of an ultra fine network of cellulose nanofibers [9] [10] [11] [12] .
2) Bionanocomposite preparation
In the present study, a novel biomaterial has been explored and different bacterial cellulose nanocomposites have been prepared; BC/chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid cross linked with sodium alginate (0.5% w/w) and calcium chloride (0.25% w/w) for wound healing therapy [13] [14] [15] .
2.3. Characterization
In vivo analysis—Evaluation-Clinical study under supervision of Dr. Mohamed M Kanjou and Hassan Abdulhakim. Evaluation model—geriatric patient of 60 years old with diabetic wound healing.
3. Results and Discussion
In Vivo Analysis
Patient enters in Sheikh Khalifa Hospital on 11/24/2016 under supervision of Dr. Mohamed M Kanjou and Hassan Abdulhakim, diagnosed with diabetic foot wound. Wound is infected and slough tissue is accumulated all over the wound. Classic dressing was used (silver dressing) but no progress. Patient is suffering from kidney failure doing kidney dialysis. In November 2016 started treatment with 3-D print Bacterial cellulose membranes (Figure 1).
After using the Bacterial cellulose material in alternate days by 1 month, it can be observed an excellent recovery of the edge and bottom of the wound and wound area reduction. Slough is easily removed. Red granulation healthy tissue is coming (Figure 2).
Then, after more 1 month, almost all slough tissue is removed by treating with 3-D print Bacterial cellulose only; granulation and building up of healthy tissue
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Figure 1. Wound healing treated with 3-D bacterial cellulose-biological wound dressing (a); developed membrane (b) and Nanoskin developed equipament (c).
is coming up with approximation of skin and the wound is closing (Figure 3).
Finally, after 4 months of treatment, there is complete healing with minimizing the scar in wound area and able to decrease with time (Figure 4).
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Figure 2. Wound healing evolution in 1 month and 3-D bacterial cellulose impact use with biological wound dressing.
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Figure 3. Wound healing evolution in 2 months and 3-D print Bacterial cellulose impact use in biological wound dressing.
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Figure 4. Complete wound healing evolution in 4 months and impact use of biological wound dressing-3-D print of bacterial cellulose.
4. Conclusions
Bacterial cellulose was successfully modified by changing the fermentation medium with hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, besides of crosslinked with alginate sodium and calcium chloride, which produced suitable 3-D printed scaffolds (bacterial cellulose) for use with promissing cell viability/attachment.
Besides, it developed a new equipment for wound healing using 3-D print, which produced unique natural membranes with several applications in medicine and odontology.
In conclusion, 3-D print bacterial cellulose membranes apply to diabetic ulcers, with significant lesions and wound healing requirement; furthermore, natural membranes applications are for all population with different age.