Researchers have introduced a water-powered electric bandage designed to accelerate the healing process. This new technology, tested in animal models, showed a 30% improvement in healing speed compared with traditional bandages.
Chronic wounds, such as pressure ulcers and diabetic foot sores, are common and persistent challenges among long-term care residents. Those wounds not only cause pain and discomfort but also lead to serious complications, including infections, amputations and increased mortality. Effective management of chronic wounds is essential for improving residents’ quality of life and reducing healthcare costs.
The electric bandage, developed by a team at North Carolina State University and Columbia University, operates by producing an electric field that stimulates healing. Unlike existing treatments, which often are costly, this bandage is designed to be affordable and easy to use. This is a crucial feature for long-term care facilities, where budget constraints and the need for practical, efficient care solutions are ongoing concerns.
“That electric field is critical, because it’s well-established that electric fields accelerate healing in chronic wounds,” said Rajaram Kaveti, co-first author of the study and a post-doctoral researcher at NC State.
The electrodes are designed in a way that allows them to bend with the bandage and conform to the surface of the chronic wounds, which often are deep and irregularly shaped.
“Our goal here was to develop a far less expensive technology that accelerates healing in patients with chronic wounds,” said Amay Bandodkar, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State. “But it is equally important that these bandages can be produced at relatively low cost – we’re talking about a couple of dollars per dressing in overhead costs.”
“This project is part of a bigger project to accelerate wound healing with personalized wound dressings,” said Sam Sia, co-corresponding author of the work and professor of biomedical engineering at Columbia University. “This collaborative project shows that these lightweight bandages, which can provide electrical stimulation simply by adding water, healed wounds faster than the control, at a similar rate as bulkier and more expensive wound treatment.”
The authors noted that additional research and clinical trials are expected to refine this technology and bring it closer to practical use in healthcare settings.
The McKnight’s Tech Daily is an e-newsletter for the audiences of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care.
