MEDILIGHT – Miniaturized smart system for light stimulation and monitoring of wound healing

Chronic wounds represent a significant burden to patients, health care professionals and health care systems affecting over 40 million patients and creating costs of approximately 40 billion € annually. Goal of the project is the fabrication of a medical device for professional wound care. The device will use recently proven therapeutic effects of visible light to enhance the self-healing process and monitor the status and history of the wound during therapy. Light exposure in the red part of the spectrum (620-750nm) induces growth of keratinocytes and fibroblasts in deeper layers of the skin. The blue part of the spectrum (450–495nm) is known to have antibacterial effects predominantly at the surface layers of the skin. In order to be compliant with hygiene requirements the system will consist of two parts: 1. a disposable wound dressing with a flexible foil embedding the LEDS and the photodiodes on top as well as integrated sensors for the delivery of light and monitoring (temperature and blood oxygen) at the wound, 2. a flexible and compliant electronic module for multiple use containing a controller, analog data acquisition, a rechargeable battery and a data transmission unit. The status of the wound will be monitored with temporal and low level spatial resolution. The electronic module will be optimized for functionality and user comfort, combining leading edge heterogeneous integration technologies (PCB embedding) and stretchable electronics approaches. The detailed effects of light-exposure schemes will be explored and backed by in-vitro and in-vivo animal studies. Results will be used to develop smart algorithms and implement it into respective programs and feedback loops of the device (ev. contact medical personnel).

Kontakt:

Prof. Dr. Norbert Gretz

Ansprechpartner:
Edda Eustachi
Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim der Universität Heidelberg
Zentrum für Medizinische Forschung
Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim
Tel.: +49 (0)621 383 5602
Fax: +49 (0)621 383 2108
Email: Norbert.Gretz@medma.uni-heidelberg.de, Edda.Eustachi@medma.uni-heidelberg.de