via University of Manchester
University of Manchester and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust scientists have developed a lamp which could treat chronic ulcers with light.
The Arthritis Research UK funded trial led by Dr Michael Hughes tested the therapy – which combines infrared, red and ultraviolet light – on finger ulcers caused by a condition called systemic sclerosis, where the immune system attacks the body’s fingers and toes.
Dr Hughes said the results were so emphatic, the device is a potential treatment for other ulcers, including diabetic and venous ulcers, a huge problem for tens of thousands of patients
People with diabetes are at risk of ulcers or open wounds that don’t heal because of poor circulation, a complication of the condition.
Venous ulcers occur when blood doesn’t flow from the lower legs back to the heart, causing a build-up of pressure in the veins.
The lamp built by Medical Physics team at Salford Royal has 32 different bulbs which emit infrared, red or ultraviolet light. Eight patients with 14 ulcers between them had the treatment.
In the study, published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment today, the patients were treated using the lamp for 15-minute sessions, twice a week for three weeks.
After treatment, there was an average 83 per cent improvement in the ulcers, with no side-effects.
Scientists believe ultra-violet light, which cannot be seen by the naked eye, kill the bacteria and reduce the inflammation that prevents healing.
Red light is believed to boost blood circulation, increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients needed for wound healing.
Dr Hughes is Consultant Rheumatologist in Sheffield at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, a specialist centre for scleroderma.
We believe this technology is a game changer; the implications are huge.
Dr Michael Hughes
It is also thought to stimulate the production of the protein collagen in the skin, which provides the natural scaffolding to help new tissue grow.
And infrared light, used in TV remote controls, is associated with increasing blood flow and oxygen.
Patients having light therapy for ulcers, using lasers, are currently treated in hospital over five days and are forced to take medication which lower their blood pressure.
However, the new therapy can be administered at home and, says Dr Hughes, with SIM card technology can even be used to monitors patients’ progress remotely.
He said: “We believe this technology is a game changer; the implications are huge.
“Ulcers cause much distress to patients – and current treatments are costly to the NHS and problematic for patients who can only receive them in hospital.
“But this technology is cheap and practical- it’s really a no brainer as it can be administered at home.
“There are future possibilities as well: we think this device could be easily adapted to monitor ulcers remotely using cameras. They could also be programmed to recognise different parts of the body so that the treatment is given accurately.
“In the next 6 to 12 months we shall be refining the machine and within 12 months we hope to trialing it on diabetic ulcers.”
Learn more: Light device is effective ulcer treatment
The Latest on: Ulcers
via Google News
The Latest on: Ulcers
- My Approach to Non-Healing Corneal Ulcers in Dogs and Catson January 13, 2021 at 2:34 am
However, ulcers within this group have actually helped us by identifying themselves as “complicated ulcers” with one of only 3 causes possible in dogs and one of only 2 causes possible in cats.
- Global Advance Wound Care Market to reach nearly US$ 15 Billion by 2030, Market to Stay Afloat During COVID-19 Crisis, Projects Fact.MRon January 13, 2021 at 2:21 am
The global advance wound care market was valued at US 10 Bn in 2019 and is poised to expand 1 4x by 2030 to reach a value pool of almost US 15 Bn The high prevalence of chronic wounds has ...
- 2020 Outlook on Corneal Ulcers - Epidemiology Forecast to 2030 - ResearchAndMarkets.comon January 7, 2021 at 11:03 pm
This report report delivers an in-depth understanding of the Corneal Ulcer, historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the Corneal Ulcer trends in the United States, EU5 (Germany, France, Italy ...
- Global Venous Leg Ulcers Treatment Market 2020 Growth Factors, Technological Innovation and Emerging Trends 2025on January 7, 2021 at 8:24 pm
MarketsandResearch.biz has published a report titled Global Venous Leg Ulcers Treatment Market 2020 by Manufacturers, Type and Application, Forecast to 2025 that provides complete information on the ...
- 2020 Outlook on Corneal Ulcers - Epidemiology Forecast to 2030 - ResearchAndMarkets.comon January 7, 2021 at 4:45 am
Corneal Ulcer Detailed Epidemiology Segmentation The total incident population of corneal ulcers in the 7MM was 304,121 in 2017. As per estimates, in 2017, the US had the highest incident cases of ...
- Your Health: Watch for diabetic foot ulcerson January 5, 2021 at 3:14 pm
The diabetic foot ulcer that cost Otis Dahmer one of his little toes began with what appeared to be nothing more than dry, flaking skin. Not being “much of a moisturizer guy,” Dahmer said, he didn’t ...
- Diabetic Foot Ulcers Therapeutics Market Share 2021 CAGR Status, Top Key Venders, Segmentation, Growth Factor, Trends, Types, Industry Size to 2024on January 5, 2021 at 6:12 am
Diabetic Foot Ulcers Therapeutics Market” is analysed by product types, applications and key market players for ...
- No, maize and garlic mix is not a cure for duodenal ulcerson January 5, 2021 at 4:08 am
A liquid made from blending fresh maize kernels and garlic is a “herbal cure for duodenal ulcer” that “sure works”, claims a message posted on the Nigeria-based Facebook page “Beauty & Health Arena”.
- What are the best foods to eat with a stomach ulcer?on December 20, 2020 at 4:01 pm
Stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are fairly common. The majority of people with stomach ulcers do not experience any symptoms, but some may experience pain, nausea, diarrhea ...
via Bing News
