Wound Therapy Device Combining Heat and Electrical Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) often worsen due to impaired blood flow and require effective, cost-efficient treatment and monitoring to prevent amputation, with existing technologies lacking comprehensive solutions for at-home use.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic device combining heat treatment and electrical stimulation, equipped with electrodes, sensors, and a control unit to optimize blood flow and wound healing, allowing for at-home treatment and monitoring of diabetic ulcers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrical stimulation and heat treatment are applied to improve blood flow and wound healing, then healing speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical stimulation electrodes and heat treatment components into a single integrated therapeutic device that can be worn on the limb. This merging of multiple therapeutic functions into one device enables improved blood flow and wound healing while maintaining portability and ease of use at home.
Solution Approach 2:
The therapeutic device performs multiple functions simultaneously: electrical stimulation to enhance blood flow, heat treatment to promote tissue healing, and sensor monitoring to track wound progress. This multi-functionality allows the device to address various aspects of wound care in one system, improving overall healing effectiveness.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are added to monitor wound healing indicators in real-time, then monitoring precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors for different wound indicators (temperature, pH, moisture, infection detection) are integrated into a single monitoring system within the therapeutic device. This consolidation allows real-time tracking of multiple healing parameters without requiring separate monitoring devices, maintaining measurement precision while managing system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a comprehensive therapeutic device with multiple functions is deployed at home, then treatment accessibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The therapeutic device is designed as a modular system with separate components for electrical stimulation, heat treatment, and sensor monitoring that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be produced using standard manufacturing processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while enabling the comprehensive functionality needed for effective home-based wound care.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device promotes rapid healing of diabetic foot ulcers and other damaged tissues by enhancing blood flow and providing real-time monitoring, reducing the risk of infection and amputation.
Implementation Method 1
a heating component, which is configured to apply heat to a limb
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of electrodes, with at least one electrode configured to supply electrical stimulation, also to the limb
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are methods, devices, and systems for treatment of an abnormal wound healing response. The methods, devices, and systems can be used to treat solid ulcerated tissue, such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), arthritic tissue, muscle soreness, joint pain, varicose veins, obesity, and peripheral artery disease. Additionally, the methods, devices, and systems can promote the healing of xenograft, allograft, autograft, or engineered tissue following reconstruction surgery. The methods, devices, and systems include the ability to determine an optimal set of pulse parameters that are specific to wound healing. In embodiments, the methods, devices, and systems include components for guiding the user on electrode placement based on anatomical or electrical measurements, delivering a custom series of electric pulses, applying heat, and using feedback from physiologic measurements to control the device.