Smart skin grafts to improve healing of diabetic wounds
Smart skin grafts for quantitative assessment and treatment of diabetic wounds
This study is testing new smart skin grafts that can help heal diabetic foot wounds by monitoring them and providing treatment, making it easier for people with diabetes to manage their wounds and reduce the risk of complications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10218396 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative skin grafts that can continuously monitor and treat diabetic wounds, which are often slow to heal and can lead to serious complications like amputation. The approach involves creating fully resorbable smart grafts that mimic the body's natural electric fields to enhance cell migration and wound healing. By integrating sensing capabilities into the grafts, the need for frequent dressing changes is reduced, allowing for better management of the wound environment. This could significantly improve the quality of care for patients with diabetic foot ulcers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with chronic diabetic foot ulcers who are at risk of complications such as infections or amputations.
Not a fit: Patients with non-diabetic wounds or those who do not have chronic wound healing issues may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for diabetic wounds, reducing the risk of complications and improving patients' quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical trials have shown that electrical stimulation can enhance wound healing, indicating that this approach has potential based on existing research.
Where this research is happening
University Park, United States
- Pennsylvania State University, the — University Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Huanyu — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Huanyu
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.