Laser Microstructuring of Elastin-Gelatin-based Biomedical Materials

In recent years, efforts have been made to develop special wound dressings to improve the healing of chronic or large area wounds. Elastin-gelatin-based nonwovens and sponges are candidates for these applications. Such materials are absorbable and possess a microstructure which is appropriate for the growth of biological cells. While sponges are suitable to fill deeper wounds, nanofiber nonwovens can cover large-area skin defects. It is expected that by introducing microholes into nonwovens and sponges the drainage and the oxygen supply of the underlying tissue can be further improved. Ultrashort pulsed laser microstructuring of these delicate materials has been evaluated. Laser cutting and drilling process strategies and parameters have been found to treat the wound dressings without affecting their beneficial basic properties.