S. Korean scientists develop world's first silk eardrum patch

SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean scientists developed the world's first
silk eardrum patch, whose treatment characteristics are superior to existing
paper-based products, a government organization said Tuesday.

The Rural Development Administration (RDA) said the eardrum patch, made from
locally raised silkworms in cooperation with Hallym University Medical Center,
has been tested to have high degree of bio-compatibility, resistance to bacteria
and hardness.
It said that the surface of the patch is highly transparent, very smooth and of
adequate hardness and thickness to treat perforated eardrums.
The thickness of the patch is 100 micrometers, which is roughly the same as
natural eardrums, while the hardness of 10 MPa makes it easy to place the
material into the damaged ear. Natural silk also causes no human immune reactions
that can hinder treatment.
"Laboratory tests conducted on animals showed that a new eardrum forms around the
patch about two weeks after an implant operation," an RDA official said.
He said that compared to conventional paper patches, the repair rate is faster
and more complete.
Other benefits of the silk patch are the low cost and ability to transmit
relatively clear sound during the healing process.
The RDA and Hallym University said patent rights have been requested in the
United States, Japan, Europe, China and South Korea, while the development was
published in the latest issue of the Wound Repair and Regeneration journal.
They said that final clinical tests will be conducted as soon as possible to
allow the finished product to reach the market.
The rural support organization under the farm ministry said the product can help
local silkworm farmers find a bigger market for their product, which has been
pushed aside by cheap imports from such countries as China.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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