Electric plaster heals chronic wounds

A new high-tech plaster developed by researchers at North Carolina State University actively promotes wound healing and can be activated simply with a drop of water. This penetrates a layer of cellulose in the biocompatible battery on the surface of the plaster. This makes the cellulose conductive and the battery begins to produce electricity. This flows between two electrodes located on the underside of the wound dressing and placed directly on the wound so that it flows through it. The voltage is 1.5 volts.

Extreme flexibility

In addition to the possibility of activating the battery with water, the plaster has another special feature: both the electrodes and the battery are extremely flexible so that they adapt perfectly to the wound and provide it with an optimal supply of electricity. According to the developers, the plaster also adapts to the movements of the person whose wound is to heal so that it does not interfere with everyday life.

As the plaster can be applied by the patients themselves, there is a high probability that it will be used continuously. According to scientist Rajaram Kaveti, who is part of the development team, the patch saves people from having to travel to a clinic to change their bandages. The battery lasts for around eight hours, after which the dressing needs to be changed.

Faster wound healing

The researchers tested the patch on diabetic mice with chronic wounds. It was found that the electrical stimulation accelerated healing by an average of 30 percent. "Just as importantly, these dressings can be produced at a relatively low cost," says Bandodkar. "We're talking about a few dollars per dressing." The treatment of chronic wounds in diabetics is currently very expensive and ineffective. Once they have healed and therapy has ended, they often break open again. In extreme cases, parts of the body even have to be amputated.

Source: www.ncsu.edu