Unhealed wounds in diabetics from a condition called venous stasis can create serous consequences, including the possibility of amputation of a limb. But a new, potentially inexpensive nanofiber called Derma-Fuse holds the potential to heal wounds quickly and safely.

Developed by the Mo-Sci Corporation in Missouri, this cotton candy-like substance -which is composed of borate glass nanofibers – helped speed the healing of venous stasis ulcers in a majority of patients enrolled in a small human clinical test group of adult diabetics in 2010. Each of the 13 test patients suffered from difficult-to-heal lower leg wounds. After just a few months, wounds on eight patients were fully healed, while the other four were reportedly improving.

It’s hoped that Derma-Fuse eventually could be used to treat injuries such as burns, or used as an emergency field dressing by ambulance crews and army medics. Mo-Sci plans to expand human trials in the coming months.