Arrangement for facilitating wound healing, a method for measuring wound healing and a wound dressing

Inventors

Bergelin, Mikael • Eriksson, Jan-Erik • Johansson, Max • Xu, Chunlin • Leppänen, Ann-Sofie • Willför, Stefan • Köppä, Simo • Kekonen, Atte • Ylänen, Heimo O. • Viik, Jari • Hyttinen, Jari

Assignees

Cutosense Oy

Abstract

A wound dressing according to the present invention comprises at least two impedance reference electrodes, a frame like counter-electrode and stimulation electrodes in a form of an array; and a bioadhesive affinity layer surrounding the stimulation electrodes; said wound dressing being suited for applying on top of the wound so that the stimulation electrode array is on the wound area, and that the at least two impedance reference electrodes and the frame like counter-electrode are suited for placing in contact with the healthy skin surrounding the wound area; which electrodes, are suited for applying LIDC type electrical stimulation current to the wound area and for bioimpedance measurement. The wound dressing according to the present invention provide a continuous, non-invasive and objective solution for monitoring chronic wound healing without disturbing the delicate healing process.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to an arrangement for facilitating wound healing that can be applied on top of a wound. The arrangement comprises stimulation electrodes in a form of an array for placement on the wounded area, a frame like counter-electrode positioned outside the array such that the frame like counter-electrode extends contiguously parallel to stimulation electrodes at adjacent sides of the array, and a bioadhesive affinity layer surrounding the stimulation electrodes.

The arrangement includes at least two impedance reference electrodes and the frame like counter-electrode, with these components capable of being placed in contact with healthy skin surrounding a wound area. The frame like counter-electrode and the stimulation electrodes are suited for applying low intensity direct current (LIDC) type electrical stimulation current to the wound area and for bioimpedance measurement. Bioimpedance measurement is performed with the stimulation electrodes complemented by the impedance reference electrodes.

The invention also includes a wound dressing and a method for measuring wound healing. The wound dressing is suited for applying on top of a wound so that the stimulation electrodes are on the wound area, while the impedance reference electrodes and the frame like counter-electrode are suited for placing in contact with healthy skin surrounding the wound area. The frame like counter-electrode extends parallel and in a single section to stimulation electrodes at adjacent sides of the array, enabling LIDC electrical stimulation and bioimpedance measurement.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims cover a wound arrangement and wound dressing for simultaneously applying low intensity direct current (LIDC) type electrical stimulation and performing bioimpedance measurement, together with a corresponding method for measuring wound healing. The inventive features center on a stimulation electrode array on the wound, a frame like counter-electrode outside the array extending along adjacent sides, impedance reference electrodes contacting healthy surrounding skin, and a bioadhesive affinity layer surrounding the stimulation electrodes.

The claims consistently combine a stimulation electrode array on the wound, a frame like counter-electrode outside the array extending along adjacent sides, impedance reference electrodes on healthy surrounding skin, and a bioadhesive affinity layer surrounding the stimulation electrodes to enable LIDC electrical stimulation and bioimpedance measurement.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications