APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING WOUND HEALING

摘要

An electrode system (10) is provided that generates a current flow that envelops and permeates an entire wound site. The electrode system includes t wo electrodes (22,24) that are shaped and oriented to cause the current to flow from one electrode through the wound to the other electrode. A first electro de (22) is applied to the wound site and the second electrode (24) encircles th e first electrode and is applied to the skin surrounding the wound cite. The t wo electrodes may be mounted to an oxygen-permeable layer that provides support for the electrodes and allows the wound site to breathe. An electrically insulative element (26) may be disposed between the two electrodes. A power supply (40), which may be local to or remote from the electrode system, is provided for applying a voltage potential across the electrodes. In another suitable embodiment, the two electrodes are comprised of oppositely charged polymers.