Electrically Spun Fabric Offers Dual Defense Against Pregnancy, HIV

Article here.

University of Washington researchers have discovered a new possible material as contraceptive and sexually transmitted infection protection that dissolves within the body.  Newly synthesized electrospun fibers deliver drugs inside the vagina during intercourse while physically blocking sperm access.  The fibers are made with an electric field to put a charged fluid through air to create fine, nanometer fibers.  The fiber’s solubility can be changed, which brings in the drug release aspect of the fiber design and synthesis.  The development of these polymers has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.  The polymers themselves come in different forms; they can stay in the vagina up until they dissolve.  Some stay dissolve in days, and others dissolve in minutes.  Mixed fiber fabric also can release drugs at different times, increasing potency and long-term effectiveness.  This is the first developmental study using nanofibers for vaginal drug delivery and is believed to be more discrete than the condom.

I chose this article because we just finished learning about reproductive health and common contraceptive methods in class, and this research combines biomaterials, drug release, and reproductive health.  I had never considered biomedical engineering being involved with reproductive health; I was surprised upon reading this.  As research continues, the team will experiment with different combinations that treat HIV and a common contraceptive.  I was really impressed with how the team is looking to design a biomaterial that both inhibit pregnancy and STIs.