The University of Utah's Department of Orthopaedics takes immense pride in the groundbreaking work of researcher Dr. Dustin Williams, along with his collaborators Dr. Nicholas Ashton and Dr. David Rothberg. They have recently been awarded two significant grants from the Department of Defense through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command to advance the development of the Purgo Pouch.
The Purgo Pouch, an innovative refillable drug delivery device originally conceived by Dr. Williams, is designed to sustain local, high-dose drug therapy at injury or surgical sites. This technology, licensed from the University of Utah by Drs. Williams and Ashton through their company, Purgo Scientific, has recently received Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA specifically for treating open fracture-related infections. This recognition underscores the critical need for effective solutions in a field where infection rates have remained stubbornly unchanged over the past 40 years.
Dr. Ashton has played a crucial role in refining the Purgo Pouch's design over the past seven years, guiding it towards manufacturability, while Dr. Rothberg’s clinical expertise has shaped both the design and surgical approach of the device. The Department of Defense is supporting their efforts with over $9 million in funding to further develop the Purgo Pouch, including conducting additional safety and efficacy tests in a unique sheep model, as well as navigating the FDA review process.
Reflecting on his motivation, Dr. Williams shared, “After losing my uncle during dialysis treatment, I envisioned how the materials used in dialysis tubing could inspire new medical solutions. I realized that a semi-permeable membrane could control drug release, leading to the concept of the Purgo Pouch.”
With an initial version, the Vetlen Pouch, already healing animals across the country, Dr. Williams and his team are poised to transform human clinical care. Their focus on addressing open fracture-related infections is just the beginning; they aim to explore the Purgo Pouch's potential in treating tumors as well. Every day, Dr. Williams approaches his work with a deep, purpose-driven commitment to improving patient outcomes and healing those in need.
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