Proof-of-concept Study for Bioimpedance Based Monitoring of Venous Ulcers During Galvanic Stimulation

Proof-of-concept Study for Bioimpedance Based Monitoring of Venous Ulcers During Galvanic Stimulation

The research group will choose no more than 10 patients having a lower extremity venous ulcer(s), less than 5cm diameter and with an estimated one month time of re-epithelization. In this study the investigators will follow and monitor the healing of the wound and effectiveness of compression therapy using bioimpedance measurement based method. The investigators will also treat the wounds using periodical low intensity direct current (LIDC) stimulation therapy.

Bioimpedance monitoring and wound stimulation functionalities are provided by a purpose built wound patch. The patch features a printed 4 x 4 stimulation and impedance measurement electrodes array (in contact with wound surface) surrounded by a 4-part dual purpose counter and impedance reference electrodes (in contact with the intact skin surrounding the wound area).

Objectives of the study

Primary: Proof-of-concept study of bioimpedance measurement based method for monitoring of chronic wound healing and assessment of efficacy of compression therapy. Gathering bioimpedance data from the patients with a lower extremity ulcer of venous etiology over their healing process. The investigators will seek methods for processing the collected data to find the best correlation with visually observed healing of the wound.

Secondary: Proof-of-concept study of periodical LIDC wound stimulation. The investigators will compare the LIDC enhanced healing outcome with appropriate archived data of previous studies performed in TAYS.

Other: Analysis of the received data and reliability evaluation of the methods. Gathering relevant user feedback from medical personnel and patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female patients with a chronic wound of venous origin.
• Patients have signed consent to participate in the study.
• Patient is motivated to follow the instructions given by medical personnel and research group.
• Age 18 - 80 years.
• Wound(s) is expected to heal significantly during the period of 2 months.
• Wound(s) is located so that there is enough space to place the experimental wound dressing appropriately.
• Diameter of a single wound is no more than 5 cm and wound edges are not steep. If patient has multiple small wounds, the wounds are located within an area of 5x5cm.
• Patient has adequate vascular supply and patient tolerates compression dressings.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient has an unstable coronary disease.
• Subject does not approve the informed consent.
• Subject is not appropriately motivated to follow M.D.'s instructions of treatment (at home).
• Participation in another clinical trial that involves an investigational drug or device that would interfere this study.
• Patient suffers from cognitive problem such as dementia.
• Wound is not expected to be healed during the time reserved for the measurements (circa 2 months).
• Patient has active wound infection or increased risk of wound infection.
• Skin changes or skin disease which could alter the epidermis of the electrode site during the measurement period.
• Patient has cancer or other life threatening disease in an unstable condition.
• Patient is pregnant.
• Patients with implantable electrical device. Such as pacemaker or implanted defibrillator.