Abstract:
The technology disclosed herein pertains to wound healing electrodes and devices. The technology disclosed herein also pertains to electrode sets for electrically induced wound healing that can be adjusted to the wound size.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/IB2008/052048, filed May 23, 2008, which claims priority to European Patent Application Serial No. 07108979.1, filed May 25, 2007, European Patent Application Serial No. 07110731.2, filed Jun. 21, 2007 and European Patent Application Serial No. 08154098.1, filed Apr. 4, 2008. Each of these disclosures is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention concerns a wound healing electrode set and a device using such an electrode set. 
     The present invention also concerns an electrode set for an electrically induced wound healing that can be adjusted to the wound size. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Devices using electrical stimulation for wound healing and also stimulate bone growth are known in the art. For example, the following documents all relate to this field: WO 84/01298, EP 0 367 320, U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,181, U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,138, U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,742, U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,081, U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,973, U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,398, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,735, U.S. Pat. No. 5,814,094, U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,016, DE 198 09 218, WO 02/068045, U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,294, WO 02/089911, US 2004/0015223, US 2004/0049145, US 2004/0147977, WO 2004/080534, US 2005/0119715, U.S. Pat. No. 6,907,294, WO 2005/096979, US 2005/0244484, US 2006/0173523 and US 2006/0189912. 
     For example, EP 0 367 320 discloses a system for the treatment of wounds by means of electric stimulation with an electric wound compress, a return electrode, an electric generator and cables for forming electric connections between the elements. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,181, a wound healing device is disclosed using a wound electrode placed preferably at the wound, a dispersive electrode positioned at a distance from the wound and a stimulation unit. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,973, a signal generator provides an electrical output signal and this signal is coupled through a cable, a connector and an active electrode to a soft tissue wound site of a patient. A return electrode engages a separate area of the patient spaced from the wound site and a return path to the generator is provided through another cable. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,016 discloses a method for healing a wound of a patient using an electrical stimulator and acupuncture needles. The method involves the step of positioning a plurality of acupuncture needles coupled to the electrical stimulator substantially around the wound. The next step includes applying a current to said acupuncture needles. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,294, an electrode system is provided that generates a current flow that envelops and permeates an entire wound site. The electrode system includes two electrodes that are shaped and oriented to cause the current to flow from one electrode through the wound to the other electrode. A first electrode is applied to the wound site and a second electrode encircles the first electrode and is applied to the skin surrounding the wound site. 
     In WO 2005/096979, the apparatus comprises an array of needles that penetrate the skin and serve as electrodes to deliver radio frequency current or other electrical or optical energy into the tissue being treated, causing thermal damage in controlled patterns. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an aim to improve the known devices for stimulation and treatment of the body of the user, for example the treatment of wounds. 
     More specifically, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a system and electrodes or electrically active zones that are easy to use. 
     To this effect, the present invention comprises an electrode set that can be applied to a region of the body of the user, for example a wounded region. 
     In the present description, the notion of “electrode” should be understood as “electrically active zone” and both notions will be used indifferently in the present application. 
     Another idea of the present invention is to combine a bandage, such as a spunlace backing, or a plaster (for example a sticking plaster) with at least two electrically active zones that is applicable to the body of a user. 
     According to the invention, the bandage or plaster can be easily applied directly onto a painful area (for example the ankle, knee or elbow, or any other part of the body) or a wound to be healed. The use of a bandage made of a spunlace backing or a plaster brings a mechanical support to the system and also allows a better application of the active zones against the body of the user. 
     Of course, the present invention is not limited to a spunlace backing (only given by way of example): any textile that can be used as a bandage can be combined with the electrically active zones according to the teaching of the present invention. For example, bandages can be made from generic cloth strips, to specialized shaped bandages designed for a specific limb or part of the body, i.e. knitted, woven and non-woven material. 
     Preferably, the bandage used, or at least a part of it, is elastically deformable. Of course, non-elastic bandages might also be used or a combination of both. 
     In the case of a sticking plaster, any suitable material may be used: woven fabric, plastic, or latex rubber. 
     The active zones may be electrodes of the “EASY” type, i.e. one support layer with two active zones, but one may also envisage two separate single active zones attached to the backing. An example of an electrode of the “EASY” type mentioned above is disclosed in US application 2006/0116565 in the name of Axelgaard. 
     The active zones may be attached in many ways to the backing (bandage or plaster): for example by using a Velcro™ system placed on the inner side of the bandage/plaster. One may also directly use the backing fabric present with electrodes and extend said backing to form the bandage. In another variant, the electrically active zones can be glued to or sewn on the backing. Preferably however, the active zones are detachable from the backing to allow a reuse of the elements of the system. 
     In another embodiment, the electrode set according to the present invention comprises a single patch or plaster with active zones. Said patch can be adjustable to the size of a wound when used on such wound or to the user. 
     In this case, the patch size can be adapted in one direction or in two directions to the size of the wound or of the user. 
     Preferably, to this effect, the patch comprises a one-time stretchable material placed between the electrically active zones to allow the size adaptation. 
     An advantage of the patch according to the present invention is that it can be easily adapted to various wound and/or user sizes. 
     The advantages of the present invention are numerous. For example, it may be applied directly onto a wound or painful area, allowing a direct electrical treatment (for example TENS or any other as desired). Also, the use of a bandage or a plaster brings mechanical support to the treated body part of the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be better understood by the description of several embodiments and of the drawings in which 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment of the set according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a variant of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3-5  illustrate a second embodiment and variants therefrom in perspective; 
         FIGS. 6-7  illustrate a third embodiment in top view and bottom view, respectively and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a fourth embodiment in bottom view. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A first embodiment is illustrated in perspective in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In this embodiment, the set comprises a backing material  1 , for example having the shape of a bandage or plaster, said backing having a zone  2  with attachment means, for example a zone comprising Velcro™ or equivalent means. In addition, the set comprises an attachable electrical element  3  which comprises electrically active zones  4 ,  4 ′,  4 ″,  4 ′″ (for example four as illustrated but this number may be varied if necessary). All said electrically active zones  4 - 4 ′″ are connected to a wire  5 ,  5 ′,  5 ″,  5 ′″ for connection to a stimulation device. 
     The electrical element  3  comprises a zone  6  which corresponds to zone  2  of the backing for attachment of the element  3  to the backing  2 , for example as is done with Velcro™. The backing can be used as a bandage and once the electrically active zones are applied to the desired body part of a user, the device can be attached to said part as a bandage, thus maintaining the active zones against the user. 
     In the variant of  FIG. 2  where similar parts are referenced as in  FIG. 1 , the backing  1 ′ for example has the shape and size of a belt and comprises two additional zones  7 ,  7 ′ with attachment means, for example such as Velcro™ for attachment of the backing  1 ′ as a belt. Of course, other equivalent means may be used for attaching the two ends of the backing  1 ′, instead of zones  7 ,  7 ′ with Velcro™. 
     A second embodiment is described with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 5 . In this variant, the backing material  20  in the shape of a bandage carries two separate electrodes  21 ,  22 , each connected to a connection wire  23 ,  24 . As in the first embodiment, the backing can be made of a spunlace backing, a bandage or any other equivalent material. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top perspective view of the set of  FIG. 3  and the same elements are referenced with the same numbers. In addition, in this figure, one has represented in more detail connectors  25 ,  26  that are at the end of wires  23 ,  24  for connection to a stimulation device (not shown). 
     In the variant of  FIG. 5 , the wires  23 ,  24  pass through the backing material  20 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the backing  30  comprises two lateral zones  31 ,  32  carrying the electrically active zones  33 ,  34  and a deformable central zone  35  allowing to adapt the plaster size to the area to be treated, shown also in the detail of  FIG. 7 . 
     The deformable zone  35  can be an elastically deformable zone or a “one-time unfold” (i.e. plastically deformable) zone which remains in an unfolded configuration once applied. The elastic zone  35  can be made directly in the backing, for example by cutting said zone into net-shaped zones which can be deformed laterally. This zone  35  can also be made of a specific material with a dedicated shape or by other equivalent means. 
     Preferably, this embodiment includes at least one lateral flap  36  or  37  which allows a user to pull said flap apart  36  or  37  and thus adapt the size of the plaster to the area on which it is being applied by deformation of the elastic zone. Preferably, it comprises two flaps  36 ,  37 , one on each side of said lateral zones to carry out this “pulling apart” operation. Also, this embodiment includes wires  38 ,  39  for connection to a device, for example a stimulator. Of course, these wires may comprise connectors for allowing a detachable connection to said device as illustrated in other embodiments of the invention. 
     A further embodiment of the patch according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, the patch comprises a layer of material  40 , for example a backing material that is non-conductive. 
     On this backing, one has placed four electrically active zones  41 - 44  which form electrodes applied to the user of the patch. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the patch comprises four electrically active zones. Of course, it is possible to use less (for example two) such zones, or more than four zones. 
     In the centre zone, there is situated an opening  45  for avoiding a wound to be covered by the patch. 
     Preferably, this backing  40  comprises several parts that are folded  46  to  49  (for example folded zones) and that allow the patch size to be adapted to the wound or to the body of the wearer. Typically, to form these folds  46 - 49 , backing material is made of a one-time stretch material allowing the user to stretch the patch to the proper size and then place said patch without worrying that it will come back to its original size and shape. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates backing  40  having folded zones  46 ,  47 ,  48 , and  49  that are extendable in a direction. For example, a first folded zone  46  (or  48 ) that is extendable in a first direction and a second folded zone  47  (or  49 ) that is extendable in a second direction. In the representation of the  FIG. 8 , one has illustrated four electrically active zone  41 - 44  with four folded zones  46 - 49 , but it is also possible with such four electrically active zones to use less than four folded zones, for example only two, preferably zones  46  and  48  or  47  and  49  for symmetry. Of course this is only an example and other configurations are possible. 
     Also, if less (or more) than four electrically active zones are used, the number of folded zones can be decreased (or increased) accordingly. 
     On the right side, one has also represented the contacting wires  50  allowing a contact to a stimulator (not shown in this figure), said wires being connected at their other end to the electrically active zones  41  to  44 . Of course, in a variant, it is possible to use a single connector in which all the wires are integrated instead of individual wires each with one single connector each. 
     In the present invention, the electrically active zones may be standard sticky hydrogel electrodes or made of non-sticky material if the set is used with a garment of a bandage allowing the maintenance of a tight contact between the active zones and the skin. 
     Various shapes, for the backing, bandage or plaster and also the electrically active zones and the fold zones, may be envisaged and the illustrative example given should not be construed as limiting. For example the shapes could be adapted to the body area on which it will be used. 
     For the folded zones, instead of one-time stretchable material, one may use a very elastic textile material (for example a spunlace backing with high elasticity). 
     Preferably, the backing is slightly larger than the electrically active zones to allow a user to hold the set appropriately and stretch it to the right (or desired) size. 
     When the set comprises an opening (such as an opening  45 ), this allows wound care even when the set is applied to a patient and without removal of the set. 
     In a variant, it is possible to use an elastic gauze for protection of the wound for example over or in the opening  45 . 
     In a further variant, it is possible to add an active agent on at least one of the electrically active zones of the embodiments described above to allow the application of medication via iontophoresis. 
     In another variant, it is possible to add in the opening an elastic electrically conductive gauze. Such a gauze would allow, for example the application of an electric treatment directly into the wound. 
     Regarding the electrical stimulation, any stimulation may be envisaged. For example, during wound care but not only at this moment, it is possible to apply a TENS waveform to reduce pain. Other signals may be used, for example signals that improve the healing of a wound. 
     As one will readily understand from the above description, many stimulation signals and method may be carried out with the present set. For example one may apply a TENS stimulation for pain relief. In a variant, one may apply a stimulation that has a wound healing effect. In another variant, one may use the set to carry out an iontophoretic treatment (with the addition of a suitable active agent on at least one electrically active zone). 
     As one will understand, the active zones of the above described embodiments preferably include each a gel pad for contact with the skin of the user. 
     The connection wires can pass through the backing/plaster or not. They can be free as represented in the figures or joined in a connector to facilitate the connection and avoid loose single wire. If the connector is asymmetrical, this can ensure that a wrong connection is not carried out. Also, to this effect the connector may comprise specific means to ensure a proper and easy connection. 
     Of course, the embodiments described above are non-limiting illustrative examples and variations with equivalent means are possible. For example, it is possible to use more than two active zones. 
     The type of active zones used may vary. They can be of the “EASY” type mentioned above, or of another type: for example pads with electrically conductive zones as known in the art. 
     In addition, other equivalent means than Velcro™ may be used to attach the electrode(s) or pads forming the active zones to the bandage. They can be glued or attached to the bandage by any other equivalent means. 
     As will be readily understood, the set of the present invention can be used in combination with a electrical stimulator for applying different stimulation to the wearer. Such stimulations can be a TENS stimulation, or an EMS stimulation or any other suitable stimulation applicable with such devices. Typical methods carried out by the present invention can be a healing method using an electrical stimulation. The device according to the invention may also be used for a wound healing method using electrical stimulation or other treatment methods, such a choice being linked to the signal applied to the patient and also to the number and positioning of the electrically active zones. As a skilled worker will understand, many methods are possible.