Modifying Low-frequency, Low-intensity Utrasound Device for the Treatment of Chronic Wounds at Home

Friday, April 28, 2023

2:00 PM-4:00 PM

BIOMED PhD Research Proposal

Title:
Modifying Low-frequency (20-30 kHz), Low-intensity (100 mW/cm2) Utrasound Device for the Treatment of Chronic Wounds to be Used in the Home – A Holistic Approach

Speaker:
Karissa Barbarevech, PhD Candidate
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Drexel University

Advisor:
Peter A. Lewin, PhD
Richard B. Beard Distinguished University Professor
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Drexel University

Details:
The primary purpose of this work is to design and implement a compact, battery powered, and fully wearable applicator for delivering therapeutic low-frequency (20-40 kHz), low intensity (Spatial Peak Temporal Peak, 100mW/cm2) (LFLI) ultrasound to enable treatment of chronic wounds in home settings. Such a device does not currently exist and, in addition to its engineering aspects associated with electromechanical design, its final implementation requires a novel approach that involves a careful consideration of the field feedback received from the healthcare professionals, such as attending physicians and nurses and understanding the biological end-points subsequent tissue exposure to ultrasound energy.

The current implementation of the LFLI device, which consists of a piezoelectric transducer acting as a source of vibrations and electronic driver is not well-suited for home use, its main limitations being the fragility of the device and lack of assurance that patients would follow the prescribed treatment. Furthermore, the patients to be treated represent a diversified cohort including ethnicity, gender, and diseases associated with aging, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. It is documented that elderly patients may become mercurial and physically violent for no reason. Therefore, there is a need for a meticulous review of the early prototype of the device, which has been used on a limited number of well-behaved patients, so the applicator and driver of the wearable design will be optimized to improve its robustness, make the electronic driver more versatile by expanding its frequency range, and permit dependable, at-home treatment.

The modification of the early prototype, which includes comprehensive reconfiguration and redesign of the circuit topology for the ultrasound wound healing device electronic driver will be presented along with methodology devised with the field feedback obtained from the focus groups. This feedback indicates that in addition to electrical engineering, an extensive background in mechanical engineering, material science, biology, and clinical practice is needed to produce an end-user friendly, ergonomic device.

Contact Information

Natalia Broz
njb33@drexel.edu