A water-powered can heal serious wounds 30% quicker than conventional treatments, according to a new study. The cheap-to-produce dressing uses an electric field to promote healing in "chronic" wounds and other injuries, say scientists. Wounds treated in animal testing with the electric bandages healed 30 percent faster than wounds treated with conventional bandages, according to the findings published in the journal Science Advances.
Chronic wounds are defined as open wounds that heal slowly if they ever heal at all. For example, sores that occur in some patients with diabetes are chronic wounds. Doctors say such wounds are "particularly problematic" because they often recur after treatment and significantly increase the risk of amputation and even death.
They explained that one of the key challenges associated with chronic wounds is that existing treatment options are extremely expensive, which can create additional problems for patients. Study co-author Dr. Amay Bandodkar, of , said: “Our goal was to develop a far less expensive technology that accelerates healing in patients with chronic wounds.
“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.” Co-author Professor Sam Sia, of , said: “This project is part of a bigger project to accelerate wound healing with personalized wound dressings. Photo of researcher Dr.
Rajaram Kaveti holding the water-powered.