40 can comprise typical pipette tips and inner needle 42 can comprise typical cannulated needles.

In certain embodiments, spinneret 20 further comprises inner needle 42a. Inner needle 42a is fluidly connected to inner needle 42 and provides a lumen bridging the spinning fluid pathway between tube 16 and inner needle 42. In some embodiments, inner needle 42a and inner needle 42 are connected by a length of polymer tube. Inner needle 42a is preferably not exposed to the exterior of spinneret 20, such that no user contact may be made with inner needle 42a during use of the device. Inner needle 42a may then be connected to a high voltage supply to provide a spinning fluid stream with a charge, while protecting a user from directly contacting any exposed electrically powered part.

In certain embodiments, the handheld EFBS devices of the present invention further comprise power source 34 and high voltage power supply 36. Power source 34 provides electricity to high voltage power supply 36, and can comprise any suitable portable source of power, such as a battery. High voltage power supply 36 accepts electricity from power source 34 and outputs electricity at high voltage. For example, the voltage output can be between 100V and 30 kV. In certain embodiments, the voltage output from high voltage power supply 36 is electrically connected to inner needle 42, such that a high voltage may be applied to spinning solution flow 46. In other embodiments, power source 34 may also provide power to additional components, such as an electric pump.

It should be appreciated that the handheld EFBS devices of the present invention are small, lightweight, and portable for easy transport and use in any location, such as in the field. The small size and weight allows operators to manipulate the devices with one hand or two hands. Due to the devices' portability and ease of use, an operator may directly handle the devices to deposit electrofocused blow-spun materials onto any surface, such as wounds or skin. In various embodiments, the handheld EFBS devices of the present invention comprise additional features for ease of use and handling. For example, the handheld EFBS devices may further comprise a handle or a grip to enable a user to comfortably hold and direct the spinneret. Other features may include enclosures or housings that at least partially encase the device as desired to improve aesthetics, durability, and comfort. The enclosures or housings may include one or more slots for easily engaging and disengaging the various portable and exchangeable components of the handheld EFBS devices, such as a portable power source, a portable syringe, and a portable gas cartridge.

It should be appreciated that the devices encompassed by the present invention are not limited to the particular embodiments depicted in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5. Rather, devices within the scope of the present invention may comprise the components disclosed herein arranged in any number of suitable configurations. Devices within the scope of the present invention may further comprise additional components such as digital readouts, flow sensors, pressure sensors, voltmeters, and the like.

Methods of Use

The invention provides paradigmatic methods for using the handheld EFBS devices of the present invention. The methods use the handheld EFBS devices to dispense a non-woven fabric-like structure onto a surface, such as a wound, for enhanced wound healing. The methods are particularly advantageous in situations where rapid deployment of a flexible wound coating cannot be accomplished with premade wound dressings.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary method 100 for the portable deposition of a spinning solution onto a surface is provided. Method 100 begins with step 110, wherein a syringe is loaded with spinning solution. The spinning solution can be any suitable solution, selected based on the composition of the desired non-woven fabric-like structure. In step 120, the syringe is connected to a syringe adapter and to a tube that is fluidly connected to a spinneret comprising an outer sheath and an inner needle. Optionally in step 125, a voltage is provided to the inner needle of the spinneret. In step 130, a flow of gas is provided through the outer sheath of the spinneret. In step 140, a flow of gas is provided to the syringe adapter to dispense the spinning solution through the inner needle of the spinneret. In step 150, the spinning solution is deposited onto a surface. Upon leaving the spinneret, the spinning solution is reduced to fibers ranging from under 1 micron to a couple microns in diameter.

In some embodiments, the method provides for the portable deposition of a solute-water mixture onto a wound as a wound dressing. The solute can be any suitable solute, such as plant-derived water-soluble proteins including highly-purified water-soluble soy protein isolate (WSsoy). The WSsoy mixture can comprise any suitable WSsoy amount, such as a range between 1% and 80% by weight. In certain embodiments, the WSsoy mixture may comprise between 5% and 25% WSsoy by weight. In one embodiment, the WSsoy mixture may comprise WSsoy at 8% weight. In another embodiment, the WSsoy mixture may comprise WSsoy at 10% weight and 1.5% polyethylene oxide. The flow rate of the soy-water mixture through the inner needle of the spinneret can be between 0.1 mL/hr and 5 ml/hr, as controlled by the pressure of the gas from cartridge regulators and valves. In some embodiments, the flow rate of soy-water mixture through the inner needle of the spinneret is 0.5 mL/hr. In some embodiments, the flow rate of soy-water mixture through the inner needle of the spinneret is 1.5 mL/hr. The pressure of gas delivered through the outer sheath of the spinneret can be controlled by a gas regulator to be between 1 and 60 psi. In some embodiments, the pressure of gas delivered through the outer sheath of the spinneret is 20 psi. In some embodiments, the pressure of gas delivered through the outer sheath of the spinneret is between 3 and 5 psi. In some embodiments, wherein a voltage is applied to the inner needle of the spinneret, the voltage can be between 1 and 30 kV. In certain embodiments, a 5 kV voltage is applied to the inner needle of the spinneret.

In some embodiments, the spinning solution may further comprise an additional polymer. Non-limiting examples of polymers include: polyurethane, polysiloxane or silicone, polyethylene, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate), poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyethylene oxide (PEO), polymethacrylic acid, polylactide (PLA), polyglycolide (PGA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polystyrene, polyanhydride, polyorthoester, polycarbonate, and the like.

In some embodiments, the spinning solution may further comprise an additional therapeutic. Non-limiting examples of therapeutics include: anesthetics, antiallergics, antihistamines, antipruritics, muscle relaxants, analgesics, antipyretics, vitamins, antimicrobial agents, antiseptics, disinfectants, fungicides, ectoparasiticides, antiparasitics, alkaloids, salts, ions, anti-inflammatoireund healing agents, plant extracts, growth factors, polycarbonates, extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents such as ECM proteins, emollients, antibacterial or antiviral agents, tranquilizers, antitussives, nanoparticles such as silver ions, stem cells, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and the like.