ORTHOAGILE, LLC · WOUND-CARE RESEARCH
Wound care.
Closer to the need.
Wound Gel by OrthoAgile
A polysaccharide-based gel developed to protect injured tissue and carry antibiotics directly to the wound surface. A practical idea shaped by the realities of trauma care.
Explore the science ↓
01 / THE SCIENCE
Protect the tissue.
Deliver locally.
Severe open fractures bring together damaged tissue, contamination, and a difficult healing environment.
While teaching trauma care, Dr. Jones explored whether an alginate-based material could help prevent exposed tissue from drying and serve as a local antibiotic carrier. Alginate is a polysaccharide derived from seaweed.
The initial work used Sorbsan, a dehydrated alginate fiber pad. When hydrated, the pad became a gel. Laboratory testing demonstrated that the gel could bind and slowly release gentamicin.
That handling change was also a practical challenge: the hydrated material was difficult to manipulate. The current development direction seeks a more usable method of application.
02 / RESEARCH SO FAR
Early evidence.
A reason to keep exploring.
Dr. Jones and his collaborators advanced the work from preclinical testing to a small clinical study. The findings provide a foundation for continued development of the gel and its proposed spray application.
Contaminated open-fracture model
In collaboration with the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, the team investigated the gel in hamster models of contaminated open femur fractures stabilized with intramedullary fixation. The gel reduced bacterial growth in this experimental model.
Experience in severe open fractures
At UNC/WakeMed, Dr. Jones and his collaborators evaluated the gel in an IRB-supervised pilot study involving twelve patients with severe open fractures, including Grade III injuries. The team observed prevention of subsequent deep infection in this small clinical series.
These encouraging pilot findings warrant further clinical investigation before broader effectiveness can be established.
Published conference contribution
Jones AR, Rowe SI, Bandukwala I, Keoke T, and Dahners L. Alginate Gel Wound Packing as Antibiotic Carrier to Experimental Contaminated Open Fracture Wounds. Transactions of Combined Orthopaedic Research Societies, Orthop Trans 19(6):445, 1995.
03 / WHAT COMES NEXT
Designed around
the realities of care.
From gel to an in-situ spray
OrthoAgile is developing a spray concept that forms a gel at the site of application. The goal is rapid treatment of severe open-fracture wounds, including in austere environments where ease of use is essential.
Military interest and development funding
The U.S. Department of Defense invited the team to submit an application to adapt the gel for frontline use. Following the application process, anticipated funding was withheld in 2025, prompting the team to pursue support from foundations and early-stage investors.
The next stage of development focuses on translating the gel into a practical spray formulation and advancing the testing needed for clinical use.
Discuss the research with Dr. Jones ↗
THE COMPANY BEHIND WOUND GEL
OrthoAgile, LLC
Registered in North Carolina as OrthoAgile, LLC. The wound-gel project brings together orthopedic trauma experience and local drug-delivery research.
OrthoAgile company fact sheetCompany overview · research and development
OrthoAgile – (Registered in N.C. as OrthoAgile, LLC)
Our team has developed a polysaccharide-based gel that serves as both a wound protectant and an antibiotic delivery platform, significantly reducing bacterial growth in hamster models of contaminated open-fracture wounds in collaboration with the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. This technology has translated into prevention of clinical infection in an IRB-supervised clinical trial at UNC/WakeMed involving Grade III severe open fractures. Based on these results, the U.S. Department of Defense invited our team to submit an application to adapt the product into an in-situ spray for frontline use—addressing injuries that currently prevent approximately 90% of affected service members from returning to active duty.
Finding a better way: a personal account
The experiences, people, and practical problems that shaped a life in orthopedic care and innovation.
Read the blog postOrthoAgile’s spray formulation is in development and is not yet available for clinical use.