---
title: "Ole Miss team develops 3D printed bandages to treat chronic wounds"
url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/ole-miss-team-develops-3d-printed-bandages-to-treat-chronic-wounds/
date: 2026-03-05
modified: 2026-03-05
lang: en
author: "Joseph Caron-Dawe"
description: "A team of researchers at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy has developed a 3D printed wound scaffold designed to treat chronic sores and ulcers, including diabetic ulcers and..."
categories:
  - "3D Printing Processes"
  - "Bioprinting"
  - "Drug Discovery & Development"
  - "Medical AM"
  - "Medical Research"
tags:
  - "future"
image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3D-printed-wound-scaffold-01-640x400.jpg
word_count: 472
---

# Ole Miss team develops 3D printed bandages to treat chronic wounds

A team of researchers at the [University of Mississippi](https://www.voxelmatters.com/missisippi-state-university-cavs-sigma-labs/) School of Pharmacy has developed a [3D printed wound scaffold](https://www.voxelmatters.com/3d-bioprinting-used-to-improve-wound-healing/) designed to treat chronic sores and ulcers, including diabetic ulcers and pressure wounds that can persist for months or years without adequate healing.

![University of Mississippi team develops 3D printed bandages to treat chronic wounds](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3D-printed-wound-scaffold-02-340x340.jpg)Surface morphology and 3D topography of 3D printed scaffolds and filaments

The scaffold is made from [chitosan](https://www.voxelmatters.com/researchers-develop-plant-based-3d-printing-resins/), which is a natural material derived from crustaceans, insects, and fungi, and incorporates plant-based antimicrobials that are released gradually to fight infection and encourage tissue repair.

Researchers Michael Repka, distinguished professor of pharmaceutics and drug delivery; Sateesh Vemula, postdoctoral researcher; and doctoral candidate Nouf Alshammari, [published their findings in the European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0939641125003315).

“People with limited mobility or diabetes often have wounds with reduced oxygen supply,” explained Vemula. “This can slow the body's normal repair process and make wounds more likely to become long-lasting, while also increasing the chance that bacteria can grow and lead to infection.”

## Solvent-free design addresses antibiotic resistance risk

The approach deliberately avoids organic solvents, which are common in conventional bandage manufacturing but can impede wound healing. The team also avoided prolonged usage of traditional antibiotics to reduce the risk of bacterial resistance.

“A lot of bandages are made with organic solvents, which actually hurt the wound-healing process, especially when applied intimately on the wound,” stated Repka. “With the materials and technique we're using, you don't have organic solvents. We're also not using traditional antibiotics over a long period of time, because that can often cause the bacteria to become resistant. That's the advantage of using natural products.”

## Biodegradable scaffold absorbs into skin over time

Because the scaffold is biodegradable, it absorbs into the skin without requiring removal, eliminating the need for a secondary procedure when used on internal wounds.

![University of Mississippi team develops 3D printed bandages to treat chronic wounds](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Michael-Repka-340x227.jpg)Michael Repka, distinguished professor of pharmaceutics and drug delivery at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy

The 3D printing process allows the patch to be shaped to fit any wound on any part of the body, including in field settings.

“Depending on what kind of wound it is, a regular bandage might work well and this wouldn't be necessary,” Repka said. “But there are a lot of applications for this technology. These could be printed in the field for, say, military applications. If you have a generator that can run these 3D printers, you can print the scaffold you need based on what kind of wound has occurred.”

“With time, the scaffold is going to be absorbed into the skin,” added Alshammari. “And it's an inactive material, so we don't have to worry about side effects or toxic residuals.”

The scaffold still requires further testing and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review before clinical use. “The goal is translating this from research to patients,” added Repka.