Development of a double-layered polymer-based tubular construct loaded with enzyme-responsive polymersomes for flexor tendon repair

Flexor tendon injuries are a significant problem for patients, healthcare, and society as a whole, due to extended healing times and various postoperative complications such as infections, adhesions, and scar tissue formation. The expression of collagen type III is largely responsible for the latter, diminishing the ultimate strength of the hand. These complications often necessitate re-operation or,
in some cases, amputation. Flexor tendons lack the capacity for spontaneous healing, requiring traditional techniques such as suturing or grafting, which fail to provide an adequate long-term solution. In the last decade, researchers have attempted to produce constructs to address these recurrent issues, incorporating active compounds. However, this often results in a burst release and
inadequate mechanical strength and thus not providing a combined solution for both the mechanical and biological problems. The proposal is designed to develop a smart polymer-based double-layer fibrous construct that provides an enhanced healing environment for injured flexor tendons. Additionally, by aligning the fibres parallel to the collagen fibrils by melt electrowriting, the aim is to reduce tendon scar tissue. The outer layer will be processed by electrospinning. Spraying of enzymeresponsive polymersomes in between the layers will ensure a controlled release of antimicrobial
compounds. The proposal surpasses the current state-of-the-art in the biomedical field of flexor tendon repair.