Electric Bandage Accelerates Healing of Chronic Wounds
Researchers have created an affordable bandage that uses an electric field to accelerate the healing of chronic wounds. In animal tests, researchers found that mice treated with these electric bandages healed 30% faster than those treated with traditional bandages. The study was published in Science Advances.
“Our aim was to create an affordable technology that speeds up healing for patients with chronic wounds,” said Amay Bandodkar, study co-author and assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at North Carolina State University, in a press release. “We also wanted the technology to be simple enough for people to use at home, rather than something that requires clinical administration.” Chronic wounds are tissue injuries that fail to heal properly within three months, often leading to impaired function and anatomy.
These disposable bandages are activated by water and feature electrodes that contact the wound, with a battery placed on the outside. The battery generates an electric field lasting several hours, which accelerates the healing process.
“The electrical stimulation from the device sped up wound closure, promoted the formation of new blood vessels, and reduced inflammation—all of which contribute to improved wound healing,” said Maggie Jakus, a co-first author and graduate student at Columbia University. The study notes that chronic wounds affect about 2% of the U.S. population, increasing the risks of amputation and mortality. Unfortunately, current treatments are often expensive, complex, and only moderately effective.
The research was conducted by a team of 17 scientists from Columbia University, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina, Harvard Medical School, Georgia Institute of Technology, and other institutions.
According to the study, if the bandages can be successfully manufactured, they would only cost around $1.