Electric bandage promotes faster healing of chronic wounds

The research team, led by Amay Bandodkar from NC State and Sam Sia from Columbia, developed a water-powered, electronics-free dressing (WPED). This bandage features electrodes on one side and a small biocompatible battery on the other. When a drop of water is applied, the battery activates, generating an electric field that promotes wound healing over several hours.

"Our goal here was to develop a far less expensive technology that accelerates healing in patients with chronic wounds," says Bandodkar, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State. "We also wanted to make sure that the technology is easy enough for people to use at home, rather than something that patients can only receive in clinical settings."

The WPEDs are designed to conform to the irregular shapes and depths of chronic wounds, ensuring that the electric field effectively targets the wound from the periphery to the center. This is crucial for directing the electric field to stimulate healing across the entire wound surface.

This ability to conform is critical, because we want the electric field to be directed from the periphery of the wound toward the wound’s center," explains Rajaram Kaveti, co-first author and post-doctoral researcher at NC State.

In experiments conducted on diabetic mice, a commonly used model for human wound healing, the researchers found that the WPEDs significantly accelerated wound closure, promoted the formation of new blood vessels, and reduced inflammation. These effects collectively improved the overall healing process.

One of the major advantages of the WPEDs is their low production cost. This makes the technology accessible to a broader range of patients, particularly those in need of affordable treatment options.

Additionally, the ease of use and mobility offered by the WPEDs mean that patients can continue their daily activities while receiving treatment. This reduces the likelihood of missed treatments and improves patient compliance, as there is no need for extended clinical visits or immobility.

The next steps for the research team involve fine-tuning the device to stabilize the electric field and extend its duration. Further testing is planned to bring the technology closer to clinical trials and eventual practical use.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Columbia University