Spinning Contraceptives with Nanofibers

Dec-05-12 A new contraceptive made of electrically spun nanofiber dissolves in the woman’s body, protecting her from both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Researchers at the University of Washington developed the contraceptive by electrospinning, which creates fibers from liquid in an electric field. The dissolved polymers and antiretrovirals can be manipulated to control shape, strength and solubility, and adhere to a collecting plate once they are formed. This creates a stretchy material that can function in a variety of ways, either by being inserted into the body or used to coat other contraceptive products, and can be programmed to dissolve in minutes, for immediate protection, or more slowly over time.

Currently, the team is focusing on the material’s use in Africa, where HIV is most common, although the technology could be beneficial in other countries as well.

Image: Kim Woodrow, UW
Fibers stick to a hard surface (top) and then are removed to create a hollow ring (bottom left). A closeup of the tiny fibers (bottom right)

More Info about this Invention:

[POPSCI.COM]
[UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON]

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