About 5.7 million people in the U.S. have some type of chronic wound.  The Procellera™ bioelectric bandage generates an electric current to stimulate wound healing.  The electrical current also reduces pain and kills microbes, like bacteria, fungi, viruses, molds and yeasts.

Wound Healing
When we are injured, the body initiates a complex repair cycle. Wound healing takes place in three stages – the inflammatory phase, the proliferative phase and the remodeling phase. The inflammatory phase is the initial reaction to the injury. The body sends cells to reduce blood loss by forming a clot or seal over the site of the broken blood vessel(s). Then, specialized white blood cells move in to clean the area by removing bacteria and foreign debris. This phase lasts for two to four days.

During the proliferative phase, new blood vessels form to get blood flow, oxygen and healing factors to the injury site. Collagen is produced to fill in and cover the wound. The edges of the wound begin to pull together to close the opening in the skin. The proliferative phase lasts from two days to three weeks.

The final phase is the remodeling (maturization) phase. Older collagen is continually replaced by new collagen, leading to the formation of a scar. Although the scar provides strength to the healing wound, scar tissue is still only about 80 percent as strong as normal skin. Depending upon the size and location of the wound, the remodeling phase can last from three weeks to two years.

Treating Chronic Wounds: The Electric Bandage
Wounds can be acute (heal within a reasonable amount of time) or chronic (nonhealing and/or lasting more than six months). Chronic wounds are a serious health concern. Researchers estimate about 5.7 million people in the U.S. have some type of chronic wound. The condition costs the U.S. health care system about $20 billion each year.

One technique that is sometimes used to treat chronic wounds is electrical stimulation therapy, or the application of a small amount of low-level electrical current. The Procellera™ bioelectric wound care system is a sterile bandage that contains two elements: zinc and silver. First, the “bandage” is placed on the wound. Then, it’s moistened with a saline solution (oozing wounds may not need saline because they often produce enough moisture on their own). When the bandage gets wet, the zinc and silver generate a low level current. Scott Sheftel, M.D., Dermatologist with Sheftel Associates Dermatology in Tucson, Arizona, says the voltage could theoretically be maintained for about a month. But, to prevent infection, he prefers to change the bandage every two to three days.

Sheftel says the electrical current generated by Procellera stimulates wound healing. The current is deadly to electrically charged microbes, like bacteria, fungi, viruses, molds and yeasts. Thus, the bandage reduces the risk for infection in the site. In addition, Procellera system encourages the body’s repair cells to migrate across the open wound and close the defect.

Procellera is only available through a physician. It can be used for both acute and chronic wounds. Sheftel says the bioelectric bandage appears to accelerate the healing process. In addition, the system reduces pain levels in chronic wounds.

AUDIENCE INQUIRY
For information about the Procellera™ bioelectric wound care system, go to http://www.procellera.com

Research compiled and edited by Barbara J. Fister

© 2009 Medstar Television, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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