Spray-On Skin Gun Heals Burns In Days (VIDEO)

The skin gun is real, and it's here to heal.

Dr. Jörg C. Gerlach developed the gun, which uses a patient's own cells to help regenerate a burn victims' skin. The gun, which was conceptually discussed by PopSci in 2008, has been successfully used to treat over a dozen patients over so far, according to the National Geographic video below.

And the recovery time is amazing. The example in the video below shows a somewhat miraculous recovery, curing a second degree burn in just 4 days.

Older methods like skin grafts take weeks to heal, according to Gizmodo. The whole spray gun process only takes about an hour.

The clip below will also air on National Geographic's Explorer: How to Build a Beating Heart.

WARNING: The video below contains some graphic images of burns that are not necessarily for everyone. We don't suggest watching if you have a weak stomach.

WATCH:

Comments

[kangkawn]

01:07 AM on 02/07/2011

This technology sounds wonderful, but there are no actual before and after photos of the treatment. It'd be nice to see some evidence.

[Kenz300]

01:51 PM on 02/06/2011

Simply amazing.

[clearthinker2008]

06:33 AM on 02/06/2011

Now this is innovation.

[stape45]

11:42 PM on 02/05/2011

Just don’t Bawlb*oy Boe.ner get his hands on it.

[CptFreakout]

08:17 PM on 02/05/2011

I will pay an exra couple bucks in taxes if we include these in the Medics kits for our troops .

[BlackYowe]

06:35 PM on 02/05/2011

Wow now that is rather Star Trek and awesome.

[mutton]

10:59 AM on 02/04/2011

Truly amazing. Good work, science!

[Fudgefase]

10:42 AM on 02/04/2011

Incredible.

[Cori527]

04:29 AM on 02/04/2011

Wow that's fantastic. A triumph of Science.

[Susan Shaffer]

02:19 AM on 02/04/2011

not exactly new news
spray on skin was invented by an australian doctor several years ago
this guy has just invented a new way of spraying the skin cells on

[esquilax]

05:43 AM on 02/04/2011

Yes indeed, Prof Fiona Wood. She's a national treasure for us.

http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/pages/page59.asp

[Fudgefase]

10:57 AM on 02/04/2011

Several years ago? How many people have died due to post-burn infections in that time? Why hasn't the technique been more widely available and used?

[Susan Shaffer]

02:42 PM on 02/04/2011

http://en.­wikipedia.­org/wiki/S­pray-on_sk­in

why hasn't it been used?

you might have to ask the doctors who didn't keep up to date with research.

Professor Fiona Wood has exported her patented idea around the world

[notmzbehavin]

11:59 PM on 02/03/2011

This is exciting--I hope the technology spreads quickly and all burn units use this.

[babybecks]

11:44 PM on 02/03/2011

How very cool. Humans are truly capable of developing amazing things when we use our powers for good

[ScottSutton]

08:51 PM on 02/03/2011

This, not what the politicians say, is real stem cell research.

[jsgaetano]

07:22 PM on 02/03/2011

I've been watching this subject for a long time.  I remember reading some science fiction stories back in the 80s which had this in it.  And that was just when I read them- wish I could remember which stories, but a lot of the ones I read were written in the 60s.

[ActualAmerican]

06:55 PM on 02/03/2011

That is amazing.

Kudos to the entrepreneur behind it.