There is a rise in antibiotic-resistant infections worldwide. Antibiotics are given to patients to kill germs called bacteria. However, over time, certain groups of these germs may adapt to these medicines in such a way that antibiotics can′t kill them. These germs can grow and spread. They can cause infections that are hard to treat. About 6 million people in the United States are affected by chronic wounds.
A team of scientists from Purdue University has developed a wearable solution that allows a patient to receive treatment without leaving home. The Purdue team’s work is published in the journal Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology.
“We created a revolutionary type of treatment to kill the bacteria on the surface of the wound or diabetic ulcer and accelerate the healing process,” said Rahim Rahimi, an assistant professor of materials engineering at Purdue. “We created a low-cost wearable patch and accompanying components to deliver ozone therapy.”
Ozone therapy is a gas phase antimicrobial treatment option that is being used by a growing number of patients in the U.S. In most cases, the ozone treatments require patients to travel to a clinical setting for treatment by trained technicians, reports Purdue University.
“Our breathable patch is applied to the wound and then connected to a small, battery-powered, ozone-generating device,” Rahimi said. “The ozone gas is transported to the skin surface at the wound site and provides a targeted approach for wound healing. Our innovation is small and simple to use for patients at home.”
The team worked with the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization to patent the technology. The creators are looking for partners to continue developing their technology.
Read more How Smart Patches and Smart Pills Are Changing Health Monitoring and Drug Delivery
Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 6 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery.
