We’ve previously featured a condom that kills HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Now researchers at the University of Washington have developed a dissolvable tampon that fights HIV.
It is made of special material that quickly dissolves to release medicine when it comes into contact with moisture.
Back in 2012, the team from the university’s Department of Bioengineering created an elastic fabric by projecting a charged fluid containing polymers and antiretroviral drugs through an electric field, in a process known as electrospinning.
They discovered that it was able to block sperm and could carry and release drugs, offering the possibility of protecting women against HIV and unwanted pregnancies.
According to the researchers, the material is capable of holding large loads of maraviroc, an antiretroviral drug used to treat HIV that has minimal side effects.
They claim it is more potent and easier to use than other anti-HIV drugs currently in development.
Beyond fighting HIV, the team is hopeful the material could potentially be used to treat other illnesses such as bacterial, fungal and viral infections.
[via Gizmag and University of Washington]