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In This Issue:
E.J. Caterson
E.J. Caterson, MD, PhD
What is your research project about?
In order to treat at-risk extremity wounds, the injured area needs to be protected and the progression of the injury prevented. Our project accomplishes this by optimizing the wound-healing microenvironment. We know that wet wounds heal better than dry wounds and that infected wounds do not heal as well as clean wounds. Our wound chamber technology harnesses these principles by creating a wet incubator-like environment with high-dose antibiotics. This allows for bacterial decontamination and sets the stage for the application of wound-healing promoting factors.
Our technology is based upon a polyurethane wound chamber that completely encloses wounds of all sizes, including the entire extremity. The chamber enables antibiotics to be delivered in ultra-high concentrations-both at the site of injury and the site most at risk of bacterial contamination. This approach has several advantages including an assurance that antibiotics are available precisely where they are most needed, limiting systemic complications and inflammation. Using our chamber, we can adjust the wound microenvironment of the affected limb by eliminating harmful bacteria and providing optimal conditions for tissue regeneration.
What is a unique aspect of your research project?
The polyurethane chamber is a new device for wound protection and for topical delivery of antibiotics and tissue regeneration supporting growth solution. No previous treatment system has involved the creation of an incubator-like environment encapsulating the wound to stop extremity injury progression, clear infection and support new tissue restoration.
How will your research project benefit future patients who suffer from trauma-related injuries?
Open contaminated wounds are equally problematic. In the case of severe open fractures, despite antimicrobial therapy, infection rates as high as 23 percent have been reported with severe lower extremity injuries. Furthermore, infection is the most common cause of delayed amputation. This project addresses the critical need to improve healing of severe extremity wounds.
The polyurethane chambers can be designed to fit any extremity wound. Using this technology, we are able to reduce further injury and tissue loss, eliminate infection and speed the healing process.
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