Development of a multi--electrode electrical stimulation device to improve chronic wound healing.
A new device has been developed for the application of Electrical Stimulation to improve healing of chronic wounds. The device enables the creation of a composite electrode hence matching the electrode(s) to the size and shape of the wound. Up to 49 electrodes in an array can be combined, delivering High Voltage Pulsed Current (HVPC) in the range 60-120 Hz with a pulse duration range from 90-110 mus and the possibility of treating the patient with direct current instead of HVPC. In addition, the software can import the measurements from the ImpediMap device, analysing the electrical impedance of the tissues involved. A test on healthy volunteers did not prove a statistically significant rise in skin temperature, TcPO2 or impedance due to the stimulation, even though a slight reddening of the stimulated site was observed.
Weber
Sonja A
SA
Nanotechnology and Integrated BioEngineering Centre, University of Ulster, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland. S.Weber@ulster.ac.uk
Vonhoff
Philipp A
PA
Owens
Francis J
FJ
Byrne
J
J
McAdams
Eric T
ET
D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004566:Electrodes; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D012899:Smallpox / Q000628:therapy; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*