Piezoelectric material shown to help regrow knee-joint cartilage

By stimulating cells to reproduce, electricity has already been shown to help heal soft tissue injuries. Now, an electricity-producing implantable material likewise appears to boost the regrowth of cartilage in compromised joints.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading Piezoelectric material shown to help regrow knee-joint cartilage

Wound dressing releases silver nanoparticles when infections occur

Although silver is highly effective at killing bacteria, it can also be toxic to humans in large amounts. That’s where a new wound dressing is intended to come in, as it only releases its silver payload when infections are present.Continue ReadingCateg… Continue reading Wound dressing releases silver nanoparticles when infections occur

Microneedle patch penetrates biofilms to treat chronic wounds

Chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers can be very difficult to treat, partially because of antibiotic-resistant “biofilms” that form over the affected tissue. A new type of microneedle patch, however, has been shown to deliver medication through … Continue reading Microneedle patch penetrates biofilms to treat chronic wounds

Kinky class of ceramics self-heals cracks at room temperature

Ceramic materials are strong and can stand up to heat very well, but they’re notoriously fragile. Now, researchers at Texas A&M have uncovered a previously unknown self-healing mechanism in a certain type of ceramic, which works at room temperature.Con… Continue reading Kinky class of ceramics self-heals cracks at room temperature

Motion-powered mesh accelerates healing of damaged tendons

Over the past few years, we’ve looked at a number of futuristic bandages and implants that accelerate healing in the human body by converting energy from movement into electrical currents that zap wounds, repair injured muscles and even heal broken bon… Continue reading Motion-powered mesh accelerates healing of damaged tendons

Hydrogel produces oxygen to help heal chronic wounds

Diabetic skin ulcers often take a long time to heal, sometimes even leading to complications that result in amputation. A new hydrogel is designed to help keep that from happening, by delivering oxygen directly to such wounds.Continue ReadingCategory: … Continue reading Hydrogel produces oxygen to help heal chronic wounds

Experimental chronic wound dressing made from human protein

If you’re trying to make a wound dressing that will be well-tolerated by the human body, you may be best off using human-derived materials. That’s the approach that German researchers have taken, creating a tropoelastin-based bandage.Continue ReadingCa… Continue reading Experimental chronic wound dressing made from human protein

“Intestinal bandage” designed to better heal digestive tract wounds

When it comes to closing incisions or other wounds in the digestive tract, sutures alone aren’t enough to keep digestive fluids or food waste from leaking out into the abdomen. A new hydrogel patch is designed to help, by thoroughly sealing such injuri… Continue reading “Intestinal bandage” designed to better heal digestive tract wounds

Internal-wound-healing wafer is powered by patients’ muscles

Although we’ve already heard how electrical stimulation can help speed the healing of wounds, electrical devices themselves often can’t be implanted in soft tissue. That could soon change, though, thanks to the development of a new “piezoelectric wafer… Continue reading Internal-wound-healing wafer is powered by patients’ muscles

New insight into how light therapy can speed up burn wound healing

A compelling new study is offering an insight into the mechanism by which a novel form of light therapy can speed the healing of burn injuries. The research indicates the experimental therapy can activate a key protein that stimulates cell growth.Conti… Continue reading New insight into how light therapy can speed up burn wound healing