Researchers from the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), a California-based research organisation have developed an ePatch that accelerates wound healing without leaving scars.
The ePatch incorporates electrodes made from silver nanowires along with a hydrogel made from seaweed called alginate. As Alginate is biocompatible and it maintains optimal moisture levels, it is widely used in surgical dressings.
Traditional bandages help in protecting the wound and avoiding repeated friction of the wound. However, the ePatch will have the effect of sterilizing and accelerating wound healing because of the additional “electricity” assistance.
The wound Heals almost 3 Times Faster
When researchers tested it on injured mice, the bandage helped in reducing inflammation and accelerating the healing process. Researchers observed that the wounds of the untreated rats took 20 days to heal. But the rats treated with the ePatch healed in mere seven days. They also showed less scarring than the untreated control group. Moreover, the antimicrobial properties of silver minimize the risk of infection.
The ePatch can be of big help to people with burns or diabetes who can use it to speed up wound healing. It will not only improve the quality of life but will also reduce avoidable expenses on treatment.
“By careful selection of the materials and optimization of our gel formulation, we were able to develop a multifunctional, easy to make, and cost-effective e-Patch which will greatly facilitate and accelerate wound healing,” said the Terasaki Institute’s Dr. Han-Jun Kim.
