Creating pain-free burn dressings that dissolve on demand

On Demand Dissoluble Supramolecular Hydrogels: Towards Pain Free Burn Dressings

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11045657

This study is testing a new kind of burn dressing that melts away easily and painlessly when it's time to change it, helping to keep burn patients comfortable and reduce the risk of infections.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11045657 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a new type of burn dressing made from a special hydrogel that can dissolve when needed, allowing for easy and pain-free removal from burn wounds. The dressing is designed to have antimicrobial properties to help prevent infections and is self-healing to ensure it remains effective during use. By addressing the significant pain associated with traditional dressing changes, this innovative approach aims to improve the overall care and recovery experience for burn patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals of all ages who have sustained burn injuries and require dressing changes.

Not a fit: Patients with burn injuries that do not require dressing changes or those who are allergic to components of the hydrogel may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the pain and complications associated with burn dressing changes, leading to better recovery outcomes for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing advanced wound care technologies, but this specific approach using dissolvable supramolecular hydrogels is novel.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.