Artificial skin created by Yannas and Burke uses a complex of collagen, chondroitin sulfate, and silicon membrane. The artificial skin is secured over wounds during surgery where it remains for several weeks, allowing new tissue to grow. It protects against infection and dehydration while tissue regenerates. Improvements to artificial skin make it biodegradable, allow slow release of antibiotics to prevent infection, and addition of growth factors to increase tissue regeneration.

1. ARTIFICIAL SKIN: NEW
OPPORTUNITY FOR
TREATMENT OF BURN
VICTIMS

2. BEGINNING
• Yannas and Burke
“Pioneers of
Artificial Skin”
• Complex of collagen
and chondroitin
sulfate with silicon
membrane

3. HOW IT WORKS
• Artificial skin is secured over
wound during surgery
• The skin remains in place for
several weeks and allows new
tissue to grow in to bottom
matrix layer
• Top layer provides protection
from infection and dehydration

4. BENEFITS
• Protect skin from infection
•Keep in moisture to prevent
dehydration
• Encourage healing through
construction of new tissue by
infiltration of epidermal cells
and fibroblasts
• Allow for less severe scarring
•More readily available

5. IMPROVEMENTS
• Biodegradable skin
• Doesn’t need to be removed
• Slowly releasing antibiotic
• Prevents infection
• Re freeze dried artificial skin
• Easier storage and reconstitution
• Addition of epithelial growth factor and basic
fibroblast growth factor
• Increased regeneration of tissue

6. REFERENCES
1. Katsuya Kawai, Shegehiko Suzuki, Yasuhiko Tabata, Yoshito Ikada, and Yoshihiko
Nishimura. “Accelerated Tissue Regeneration Through Incorporation of Basic Fibroblast
Growth Factor-Impregnated Gelatin Micro spheres into Artificial Dermis.” Science Direct.
January 24, 2000.
2. Shigehiko Suzuki, Kazuya Matsuda, Nobuhiko Isshiki, Yashushi Tamada and Yoshito
Ikada. “Experimental Study of Newly Developed Bi-layer Artificial Skin.” Biomaterials
1990, Vol. 11: July.
3. Kazuya Matsuda, Shegehiko, Suzuki, Nobuhiko Isshiki, Kazuo Yoshioka, Ryoichi Wada,
S.H. Hyon, and Yoshito Ikada. “Evaluation of a Bi-layer Artificial Skin Capable of
Sustained Release of an Antibiotic.” Science Direct. December 20, 1990.
4. Kazuya Matsuda, Shigehiko Suzuki, Nobuhiko Isshiki and Yoshito Ikada. “Re-freeze
Dried Bi-layer Artificial Skin.” Science Direct. April 30, 1993.
5. Sung Ran Hong, Seung Jun Lee, Jong Won Shim, Young Seon Choi, Young Moo Lee,
Kand Won Song, Moon Hysang Park, Young Soo Nam and Sang In Lee. “Study on
Gelatin-containing Artificial Skin IV: A Comparative Study on the Effect of Antibiotic and
EGF on Cell Proliferation During Epidermal Healing.” Biomaterials 2001, Vol. 22:
October.
• Risako Matsui, Naganari Okura, Ken-ichi Osaki, Jun Konishi, Kazuhito Ikegami, and
Mikio Koide. “Histological Evaluation of Skin Reconstruction Using Artificial Dermis.”
Biomaterials 1996, Vol. 17
• Google

7. Thank You