Artificial Skin

1
Artificial Skin

• By Raymond Litteaur

2
History of Burns

• Before artificial skin was developed, burns
  covering 50 of the body were considered to be
  fatal.
• In 2000, artificial skin cut death rates in
  people with over 70 burns from 100 to 40.
• Skin is the bodys largest organs and protects us
  from physical damage, disease, and controls our
  bodys temperature.

3
How Artificial Skin is Made

• Skin is usually donated by other donors.
• Fibroblasts are removed from the donated skin and
  are frozen until they are needed.
• The fibroblasts are placed on a polymeric mesh
  scaffolding, gather oxygen, and grow new cells.
• The cells are then transferred to a culture
  system.

4
Artificial Skin cont.

• After 4 weeks the polymer mesh dissolves and
  leaves behind a new layer of dermal skin.
• When the growth cycle is completed, they add more
  nutrients.
• Keratinocytes are added to the collagen and are
  exposed to air to form epidermal layers.
• The skin is now completed and is stored in
  sterile contains until ready to use.

5
How Artificial Skin is Used

• Artificial skin is already being used for burn
  victims and soon will be available for other skin
  disorders.
• The skin is not used for a permanent replacement,
  but to temporary cover the skin until your skin
  can grow back naturally.

6
The Future

• Because skin is an organ, there are many
  similarities between skin and other organs.
• There is hope to regenerate joints, ears, noses,
  livers, kidneys, and hearts.

7
References

• GAO Report. 31 May 2005. GAO-05-759T.
  Advanced Technology Program Inherent Factors in
  Selection Process Are Likely to Limit
  Identification of Similar Research
  lthttp//www.gao.gov/htext/d05759t.htmlgt
• McNulty, Mary F. Artificial Skin.
  lthttp//www.gale-edit.com/products/volumes/skin.ht
  mgt
• Smith, Carol. 23 Feb. 2001. Artificial skin
  offers genuine hope lthttp//seattlepi.nwsource.co
  m/local/burn231.shtmlgt
• T.J. Samson Community Hospital. 1 Jan 2005.
  Artificial Skin lthttp//tjsamson.client.web-heal
  th.com/web-health/topics/GeneralHealth/generalheal
  thsub/generalhealth/skinhairnails/AGINGCOSMETIC
  /skin_artificial.htmlgt
• Pictures
• http//www.devicelink.com/mddi/archive/98/05/018.h
  tml
• http//www.biomed.metu.edu.tr/courses/term_papers/
  artificial20skin_cinar.htm