The gel acts on the wound using a dynamic magnetic field, stimulating the growth and restoration of skin cells.
Patients with diabetes often develop chronic skin ulcers on their legs that heal very slowly. In some cases, these ulcers can become seriously infected and lead to the need for foot amputation. A new product in the form of a magnetic gel can prevent this outcome – it accelerates the healing of ulcers in diabetes by three times, reports New Atlas.
Typically, patients with diabetic ulcers are advised to avoid putting pressure on the injured area so as not to damage new, fragile skin cells and impede the healing process. However, some mechanical stimulation of the skin can promote the growth of new cells, aiding the wound healing process. Such is the paradox.
Created by scientists from the National University of Singapore, the magnetic gel is applied directly to the wound using a bandage. It contains tiny magnetic particles along with two types of skin cells – keratinocytes, which help repair the skin, and fibroblasts, which form connective tissue.
Treatment involves placing the injured foot in a magnetic stimulation device for two to three hours.
Magnetic gel acts on the wound using a dynamic magnetic field. When a wound is exposed to this field, the magnetic particles begin to move, but not too much. This movement of cells within the wound allows them to interact with the patient’s own skin cells and promote a gentler but more effective healing process.
In tests conducted on mice, it was found that treating a wound with magnetic gel increased the growth rate of dermal fibroblasts (the main cells of the skin) by 240%. It also more than doubles the rate of collagen production, an important component of the skin. The treatment further enhances the communication between keratinocytes and other cells, which promotes the growth of new blood vessels in the wound area.
The developers note that their technology is highly adaptable and easy to use. This means it can be used to improve wound healing in a variety of situations, including not only diabetic ulcers, but also burns and chronic non-diabetic ulcers.
Another interesting development was presented by specialists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems. Their mini-spectrometer allows you to analyze the fabrics of any item and determine their composition.
Ekaterina Sadkova
2023-10-23 16:25:29
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