Improved collagen bilayer dressing for the controlled release of drugs

A novel bilayer dressing has been developed from bovine succinylated collagen. The dressing contains an antibiotic, Ciprofloxacin, for both immediate and time‐regulated release for controlling the infection, as the infected open wounds need special care. The dressing consists of a sponge and a film, both prepared from succinylated bovine collagen. The sponge has a smooth surface on one side; its rough surface on the other side forms the bilayer system with the film. Both sponge and film act as an anionic reservoir to hold the cationic Ciprofloxacin. The drug, after dispersing in poly (N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidione) (PVP) solution is allowed to spread in the bilayer system by diffusion. The drug stays in the bilayer system because of ionic binding, but starts releasing when comes in contact with the wound. Release of the drug is immediate, but it is regulated by ionic binding between the drug and succinylated collagen. The wound exudates, and there is a polarity‐controlled release of the drug from the bilayer system. The PVP and bilayer system permits only time‐regulated release, and the system lasts up to 5 days with therapeutically sufficient drug availability. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 70B: 389–396, 2004