Health in the future: spray on bandages embedded with medicines

(©Imperial College London / Layton Thompson. Fabrican Ldt 2010.)

Researchers have created a spray-on fabric under the name of Fabrican to be applied with an aerosol can or gun to be used for medicinal purposes, fashion or design.

Fabrican, "an instant, sprayable, non-woven fabric," was developed by Manel Torres, a Spanish fashion designer, and Paul Luckham, professor of particle technology in the department of chemical engineering at Imperial College London.

On September 16, both will show how Fabrican can be sprayed directly on skin "to make clothes, medical bandages and upholstery," according to the college's announcement.

The Fabrican-made new bandage or t-shirt dries shortly after being sprayed, is reusable and washable.

In the future Torres and Luckham are planning to "explore other applications, such as medicine patches and bandages, hygiene wipes, air fresheners and upholstery for furniture and cars" with Fabrican.  

"The fashion application of spray-on fabric is a great way of advertising the concept, but we are also keen to work on new applications for the medical, transport and chemical industries. For example, the spray-on fabric may be produced and kept in a sterilised can, which could be perfect for providing spray-on bandages without applying any pressure for soothing burnt skin, or delivering medicines directly to a wound," noted Luckham.

Presently on the market are less sophisticated spray-on first aid options (New Skin, Nexcare).