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Innovations and Breakthroughs | Zhende Works with Zhejiang Institute of Medical Device Testing to Achieve Major Breakthroughs

To prevent facial pressure ulcers among medical staff and improve the fit of masks, Zhende teamed up with Zhejiang Institute of Medical Device Testing to launch the Project for Research on Materials for Form-fitting Face Protection Products that Prevent Pressure Ulcers and R & D of New 3D Scanning-based Products. The project was recognized as a key R & D project of the Science and Technology Department of Zhejiang Province. Through tireless work and repeated tests, the two parties have recently made a breakthrough in the synthesis of new hydrogels. 


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Schematic Diagram of Hydrogel Preparation


Face masks have become an essential consumable for everyday life as epidemic prevention and control becomes a normal. Naturally,

the filtration efficiency of face masks or the quality of face masks, has attracted more and more attention from the general public and has also been a matter of great concern to Zhende and the relevant regulatory authorities.

According to a large number of face mask tests and statistical analysis of the causes for substandard face masks, the main performance indicator that leads to low-quality surgical masks is fittingness. If the nose bridge of a face mask does not fit the face very well, the mask is not a standard form-fitting face mask.

Healthcare workers that have to wear protective equipment for a long time are also subject to partial pressure on the face and lack of oxygen that leads to DRPI, the symptoms of which include skin reddening, pains and damage.   

To improve the safety and comfort of protective equipment for healthcare workers, Zhende, an industry leader, teamed up with the Zhejiang Institute of Medical Device Testing to study new materials that protect healthcare works from pressure ulcers and conduct product R & D. Through many rounds of synthesis, combination and experimentation, the two parties finally settled on a hydrogel formulation that features excellent biocompatibility, high strength and high ductility.  

 

Meanwhile, Zhende and the research team of Zhejiang Institute of Medical Device Testing carried out a compression test on the newly synthesized hydrogel materials to simulate the compression on the material during normal use. According to the test results under different test environments, the hydrogel material features good stability and elasticity.


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Photographs (A) and tensile properties (B) of hydrogels soaked in glycerol for different periods of time; compressive properties (C-E) of hydrogels.


The research team conducted a large number of comparative experiments based on performance indicators to identify the antibacterial properties, water retention capacity and degradability of the new hydrogel material. The test results proved its excellent performance.


Adhesion of bacteria to the surface of the materials after co-culture of hydrogels not soaked in glycerol (A), hydrogels soaked in glycerol for 4 h (B), hydrogels soaked in glycerol for 6 h (C), wound dressings on the market (D) and Escherichia coli for 24 h (the green area is bacteria)


(A) Water retention capacity of GQS hydrogel and GQSG hydrogel at room temperature and 37 oC; (B) Cytotoxicity of GQS hydrogel and GQSG hydrogel.


Zhende will deepen its cooperation with Zhejiang Hospital and Zhejiang Institute of Medical Device Testing to design and improve the 3D shape of pressure ulcer protection materials through 3D scanning technology and big data analysis and improve the fit of masks and also the comfort and safety of healthcare workers and the general public when wearing masks.