WO2023218478A1

WO2023218478A1 - Accelerated wound healing

Info

Publication number: WO2023218478A1
Application number: PCT/IN2023/050431
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jagadeesh Gopalan; Dipshikha Chakravortty; Jagannatha Kalidevapura Polareddy Reddy; Akshay Datey; Chintoo Sudhiesh Kumar; Obed Isaac Samuelraj
Original assignee: Indian Institute Of Science
Priority date: 2022-05-11
Filing date: 2023-05-05
Publication date: 2023-11-16

Abstract

A portable system (100) for accelerated wound healing is disclosed. The portable system (100) includes a handheld device (102) having a primary piston (104) located at a proximal end (302) and a secondary piston (106) located at a distal end (304). The primary piston (104) moves towards the distal end (304) to collide with the secondary piston (106) on receiving a pressure from the proximal end (302). A cartridge (108), including a column (110) filled with liquid, is located in physical contact with the secondary piston (106). Collision of the primary and the secondary pistons initiates a shockwave, in the liquid, that traverses through the column (110) to a membrane (112) located at a bottom end (306) of the column (110). The membrane (112) transfers energy of the shockwave to a wound area for accelerated healing of a wound.

Description

ACCELERATED WOUND HEALING

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to a portable system and a replaceable cartridge for wound healing, and more particularly, to a portable system and a replaceable cartridge for accelerated wound healing using shockwaves.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Wound healing is a natural biological process of self-healing of wounds. Owing to the difference in nature and the cause of inflicting of wound, different types of wounds may require different time for healing. While some wounds may naturally heal in a small duration of time, some non-healing wounds, such as, chronic and acute types of wounds may require more time for healing and may prove to be exhausting for an affected individual. As would be known to a skilled person, non-healing wounds are wounds that do not heal within a predicted or defined amount of time, for example, 5 to 8 weeks. Few chronic non-healing wounds may even do not heal even after a few months or years. Examples of nonhealing type of wounds may include, but may not be limited to, pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, ischemic ulcers, and venous ulcers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures are merely examples of the present subject matter and are not meant to represent the subject matter itself.

[0004] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a portable system for accelerated wound healing, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.

[0005] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the portable system, according to another example implementation of the present subject matter. [0006] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate a block diagram of a handheld device, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.

[0007] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of the portable system comprising the handheld device, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.

[0008] Figure 5 illustrates block diagram of a replaceable cartridge, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.

[0009] Figure 6 depicts images of wounds established in control group of animals and treatment group of animals.

[0010] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Wound healing is a natural yet complex process that generally happens in four phases, namely, hemostasis, inflammation, cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling. Many factors may interfere in natural healing process, making these wounds difficult to heal. Healing of wounds may depend on various factors, for example, wound treatment process, underlying condition of a patient, wound environment at a wound area, and microbial growth or infection in the wound. Further, depending on various factors, different wounds may require different time to heal. Delayed healing of non-healing chronic and acute wounds may cause complications like pain, septicemia, infections, and amputations leading to lifelong disability.

[0012] Conventionally, various shockwave based medical devices are being used for treatment of different types of non-healing wounds, for example, diabetic ulcers. Such shockwave based medical devices are generally similar to shockwave medical devices, such as lithotripters used in Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for disintegrating renal calculi. The conventional shockwave based medical devices are generally developed by modifying the existing shockwave based medical devices, such as the lithotripters developed with a focus on treating renal calculi. The conventional shockwave based medical devices are thus prone to multiple disadvantages and limitations which affect the efficacy of the treatment. For instance, the shockwave based medical devices developed with focus for treatment of renal calculi, are designed to generate high energy shockwaves. However, using such high energy waves for wound healing may cause extensive collateral-tissue damage at or around the wound area, thereby, increasing complications in healing of wounds.

[0013] Further, many conventional shockwave based medical devices use piezo-electric discharge to generate acoustic waves, however, the energy content of these waves cannot be varied as per requirement for treating different wounds. Therefore, the energy of the shockwaves cannot be adapted or modified to treat different type of wounds. Thus, application of such devices may be limited to treatment of few wounds. Additionally, the initial installation and operational costs of the conventional shockwave based medical devices are not economical and may, in turn, result in increasing treatment costs for an individual. The conventional devices and shockwave based wound healing processes are, thus, costly and beneficial for limited wound types.

[0014] The present subject matter relates to wound healing techniques that may facilitate faster healing of non-healing wounds. In one embodiment of the present subject matter, a portable system for accelerated wound healing is described. The portable system may generate shockwaves and transfer an energy of the shockwave in a controlled amount to a wound area having a wound, for accelerated wound healing. In one example implementation, the portable system may include a handheld device having a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a cartridge in a physical contact with the secondary piston. In one example, the primary piston may be located at a proximal end of the handheld device and the secondary piston may be located at a distal end of the handheld device. The cartridge may be located at the distal end and may include a column filled with a liquid and a membrane located at a bottom end of the column. The membrane may be placed near the wound to be treated.

[0015] In one example implementation, in order to treat a wound of a patient, the handheld device may be placed over a wound, with the membrane of the cartridge in direct or indirect contact of the wound. The handheld device may then be initiated by providing high pressure at the proximal end, thereby, moving the primary piston towards the distal end. In one example, the high pressure may be provided by a high pressurized fluid received at the proximal end of the handheld device. Once the handheld device is triggered, the primary piston moves towards the secondary piston at a controlled velocity and subsequently collides with the secondary piston. Owing to the controlled collision of the primary piston with the secondary piston, an impact energy may be transferred to the cartridge, being in physical contact with the secondary piston. The collision of the primary piston with the secondary piston may thus initiate the shockwave in the liquid filled in the column.

[0016] The shockwave initiated in the liquid may then traverse though the column to the membrane placed on the wound area to transfer an energy of the shockwave to the wound area for accelerated healing of the wound. The energy thus generated from the shockwaves may be transferred by the membrane to the wound in a controlled manner, thereby, accelerating healing of the wound. The shockwave may be sensed as a mechanical stimulus by the different cell types at the wound area. This may trigger a cascade of signaling events which may lead to cell proliferation or cell growth and formation of new blood vessels (capillaries) which is known as angiogenesis. Thus, the portable system may help in accelerated wound healing.

[0017] The present subject matter is further described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

[0018] Figure 1 illustrates a portable system 100 for accelerated wound healing, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter. In one example, the portable system 100 may facilitate accelerated healing of a wound by generating shockwaves and transferring an energy of the shockwave to a wound area having the wound. In one example implementation, the portable system 100 may include a handheld device 102 having a primary piston 104 and a secondary piston 106. The primary piston 104 may be located at a proximal end of the handheld device 102 and the secondary piston 106 may be located at a distal end of the handheld device 102, as illustrated in Figure 3A. The handheld device 102 may further include a cartridge 108 that may be located at the distal end of the handheld device 102 and may be in a physical contact with the secondary piston 106. The cartridge 108 may include a column 110 filled with a liquid and a membrane 112 located at a bottom end of the column 110. During the treatment of the wound, the membrane 112 may be placed at the wound area having the wound to be treated.

[0019] In one example implementation, the handheld device 102 may be placed over the wound area by a medical expert, such as a doctor, a nurse, and a physician for treating the wound. On initiation of the handheld device 102, a high- pressure may be applied at the proximal end of the handheld device 102. In one example, the high-pressure may be applied by a fluid supplied at a high pressure. In response to receiving the fluid, the primary piston 104 located at the proximal end may experience force due to the high-pressure and may start moving towards the secondary piston 106 located at the distal end. The primary piston 104 may subsequently collide with the secondary piston 106. Owing to the collision of the primary piston 104 with the secondary piston 106, an impact energy may be transferred to the cartridge 108, being in physical contact with the secondary piston 106. The collision of the primary piston 104 with the secondary piston 106 may thus initiate at least one shockwave in the liquid filled in the column 110 of the cartridge 108.

[0020] The shockwave initiated in the liquid may traverse though the column 110 to the membrane 112 placed on the wound area and may thus transfer an energy of the shockwave to the wound area for accelerated healing of the wound. In one example, when the handheld device 102 is placed on the wound area, the membrane 112 of the cartridge 108 may be in direct or indirect contact of the wound. The energy generated from the shockwaves may be transferred by the membrane 112 to the wound area for accelerated wound healing. The shockwave may be sensed as a mechanical stimulus by different cells at the wound area and may trigger a cascade of signaling events which may lead to angiogenesis, i.e., cell proliferation or cell growth and formation of new blood vessels (capillaries). Thus, the portable system 100 may help in accelerated wound healing.

[0021] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the portable system 100, according to another example implementation of the present subject matter. As discussed in Figure 1, the portable system 100 may include the handheld device 102 having the primary piston 104 and the secondary piston 106. In one example, the handheld device 102 may be in form of an elongated cylindrical tube-like structure having a proximal end and a distal end, as illustrated in Figure 3A. The primary piston 104 may be located at the proximal end and the secondary piston 106 may be located at the distal end. In one example, the primary piston 104 and the secondary piston 106 may be made from a metal. In another example, the primary piston 104 and the secondary piston 106 may be made from a combination of two or more metals. For example, different materials may be used with density range 2.1 - 8.2 g/cm³, Young’s modulus range 0.8 - 200 GPa, and Yield stress limit range 35 - 1200 MPa for making the primary piston 104 and the secondary piston 106.

[0022] In one example, the handheld device 102 may further include the cartridge 108 that may be located at the distal end of the handheld device 102 and may be in physical contact with the secondary piston 106, as discussed in Figure 1. The cartridge 108 may include the column 110 filled with the liquid. In one example, the column 110 may at least be partially filled with the liquid. In another example, the column 110 may be completely filled with the liquid. Further, in one example, the liquid may be water. In another example, the liquid may be any fluid having a density ranging from 0.8 to 1.45 g/cm³. The cartridge may further include the membrane 112 located at the bottom end of the column 110, as discussed in Figure 1 and illustrated in Figure 3A. The membrane 112 may be placed at the wound area having the wound to be treated. In one example, the cartridge 108 may be detachably attached to the distal end of the handheld device 102. For example, the cartridge 108 may be detachably attached to the distal end of the handheld device 102 using at least one of a push-fit mechanism and one or more screws.

[0023] In one example implementation, the handheld device 102 may be placed in contact of the wound area for treating the wound located at the wound area. In one example, the handheld device 102 may be placed directly in contact with the wound area. In another example, one or more bandages may be placed on the wound in the wound area and the handheld device 102 may be placed on the one or more bandages. In yet another example, a gel, for example, an ultrasonic gel may be applied over the wound area or the wound to help propagate shockwaves. The handheld device 102 may be placed on the gel applied over the wound area.

[0024] For treating the wound, the handheld device 102 may be initiated by a user, for example, the medical expert. In one example, the portable system 100 may include a user input device 200 to receive one or more inputs from the user. Examples of the user input device may include, but are not limited to, a touch screen display unit, one or more buttons, and one or more switches. The user may provide the one or more inputs using the user input device 200. For example, the user may input an initiation signal by using the touch screen display unit to initiate the handheld device 102.

[0025] The portable system 102 may further include a controller 202 to receive the one or more inputs from the user input device 200. Examples of controller may include, but are not limited to, a processor, a microprocessor, and a microcontroller. In one example, the controller 202 may be communicably coupled with the user input device 200 and may receive the initiation signal. On receiving the initiation signal, the controller 202 may operate a fluid compressor 204 to supply a pressurized fluid, interchangeably referred as the fluid, to the proximal end. In one example, the portable system 100 may include the fluid compressor 204 communicably coupled with the controller 202. The fluid compressor 204 may generate and provide the pressurized fluid to the proximal end of the handheld device 102. The fluid compressor 204 may be communicably coupled with a storage chamber 206 that may store the fluid. The fluid compressor 204 may receive the fluid from the storage chamber 206 and pressurize the received fluid for being supplied to the proximal end. Examples of the fluid compressor 204 may include, but are not limited to, a pump and an air compressor. The proximal end of the handheld device 102 may thus receive the pressurized fluid. Examples of the fluid may include, but are not limited to, air, water, and oil.

[0026] In another example implementation, the handheld device 102 may include an inlet valve 208 located near the proximal end of the handheld device 102. The inlet valve 208 may be communicably coupled with the controller 202 and may control passage of the fluid towards the proximal end of the handheld device 102. For example, the inlet valve 208 may allow flow of the fluid in an open state and restrict flow of the fluid in a closed state. The controller 202 may communicate with the inlet valve 208 to switch between the open state and the closed stage. Thus, on receiving the initiation signal, the controller 202 may communicate with the fluid compressor 204 to supply the pressurized fluid from the storage chamber 206. The controller 202 may further operate the inlet valve 208 to switch the inlet valve 208 to the open state to allow passage of the pressurized fluid from the fluid compressor 204 to the proximal end, through the inlet valve 208.

[0027] On receiving the pressurized fluid at the proximal end, the primary piston 104 located at the proximal end may experience pressure from the proximal end and may move towards the distal end of the handheld device 102. While moving towards the distal end, the primary piston 104 may collide with the secondary piston 106 located at the distal end. In one example, the primary piston 104 may collide with a first side (not shown in this figure) of the secondary piston 106, facing towards the primary piston 104.

[0028] Owing to the collision of the primary piston 104 with the secondary piston 106, an impact energy may be transferred to the cartridge 108, being in physical contact with the secondary piston 106. In one example, the cartridge 108 may be located at the distal end of the handheld device 102 and may be in physical contact with a second side (not shown in this figure) of the secondary piston 106. For example, a top end of the column 110 of the cartridge 108 may be in physical contact with the second side of the secondary piston 106. The column 110 of the cartridge 108, being in physical contact with the secondary piston 106, may experience the collision of the primary piston 104 with the secondary piston 106. Therefore, at least some amount of the impact energy may be transferred to the column 110. Due to the collision, the liquid filled in the column 110 may experience at least some amount of the impact energy and at least one shockwave may be initiated in the liquid.

[0029] The shockwave initiated in the liquid may traverse through the column 110 to the membrane 112 located at the bottom end of the column 110 and placed on the wound area. In one example, the shockwave may traverse in the liquid from the top end to the bottom end of the column 110, where the membrane 112 is located. A top surface (not shown in this figure) of the membrane 112 may be in a fluid communication with the liquid filled in the column 110. The shockwave generated in the liquid may thus traverse through the column 110 to the membrane 112. A bottom surface of the membrane 112 may be placed in contact with the wound area to transfer an energy of the shockwave to the wound area. In one example, when the handheld device 102 is placed on the wound area, the membrane 112 may be in direct or indirect contact of the wound, as discussed above. The energy thus generated from the shockwaves may be transferred by the membrane 112 to the wound area and may accelerate wound healing by triggering cellproliferation and angiogenesis. This results from the orchestration of multiple signalling pathways. Wound healing being a complex process is mainly dependent on surplus blood flow for transporting cargo (repair proteins and immune cells) at the wound site. Enhanced angiogenesis in case of shockwave treatment facilitates the surplus blood flow and improve healing speed of the wound. Thus, the shockwaves generated by the portable system 100 may facilitate in accelerated wound healing.

[0030] Further, the cartridge 108 may be optionally detached from the handheld device 102 after use. In one example, the cartridge 108 may be detached for being replaced with a new cartridge. For example, the cartridge 108 may be replaced with the new cartridge after a predefined number of shots have been delivered using the cartridge 108. The cartridge 108 may also be replaced with the new cartridge after noticing any wear and tear of the cartridge 108 by the user. In another example, the controller 202 may store information indicating a number of times the cartridge 108 may have been used for treating the wound. For example, the controller 202 may store information about a number of times the initiation signal has been generated to determine the number of times the cartridge 108 may have been used. The controller 202 may communicate with the user input device 200 to display the number of times the cartridge 108 may have been used. Once the number reaches a predefined number of times the cartridge 108 may be used, or it reaches the end of life, the user may be notified on the user input device 200 to replace it. In one example, the portable system 100 may also be internally stalled by the controller 202 from conducting any operation until the cartridge 108 is replaced.

[0031] Further, the portable system 100 may facilitate controlled generation of shockwaves and transfer of the energy of the shockwave to the wound area. In one example implementation, the user may input a pressure range, by using the user input device 200, with which the fluid may be supplied to the proximal end of the handheld device 102. The controller 202 may receive the pressure range and communicate with the fluid compressor 204 to supply the fluid with the pressure range provided by the user. The fluid compressor 204 may pressurize the fluid accordingly with the pressure range provided by the user and supply the fluid to the proximal end. Therefore, speed with which the primary piston 104 may move towards the secondary piston 106 may be controlled as the user may define the pressure range with which the fluid is to be supplied to the proximal end. For example, if the user inputs a high pressure range, the fluid may be supplied with high pressure to the proximal end. The primary piston 104 may thus experience high pressure and may move with high speed towards the secondary piston 106. The impact between the primary piston 104 and the secondary piston 106 may thus be strong. In another example, if the user inputs a low-pressure range, the fluid may be supplied with low pressure to the proximal end and the primary piston 104 may move with lesser speed towards the secondary piston 106 and the impact may be moderate or low. As a result, speed and strength of the shockwave generated in the liquid filled in the column 110 may be controlled. Therefore, the energy transferred by the membrane 112 to the wound area may be dynamically adapted for treating different wounds.

[0032] In another example, the impact energy may also depend on mass of the primary piston 104 and the secondary piston 106. For example, the primary piston 104 and the secondary piston 106 of more mass may generate more impact energy on collision and may thus generate shockwaves of higher energy. Therefore, in case higher energy is required for treatment of the wound, the user may accordingly use the primary piston 104 and the secondary piston 106 of required mass. In case a lower energy is required, the user may accordingly use the primary piston 104 and the secondary piston 106 of lesser mass. Therefore, pistons of different mass may be used for treatment of different wounds.

[0033] Furthermore, the user may be able to input a number of shots to be delivered to the wound area. In one example, the user may input the number of shots to be delivered in the user input device 200. The controller 202 may communicate with the fluid compressor 204 to control the number of times the fluid may be delivered to the proximal end of the handheld device 102. For example, the user may input that two shots are to be delivered to the wound area. The controller 202 may receive the input and may operate the fluid compressor 204 to deliver the pressurized fluid for a first time to the proximal end. On receiving the fluid, the primary piston 104 may move and collide with the secondary piston 106 and a first shockwave may be generated in the liquid filled in the column 110. An energy of the first shockwave may be transferred by the membrane 112 to the wound area. Subsequently, to deliver the second shot, the controller 202 may operate a vacuum pump 210 to draw the fluid out from the proximal end. In one example, the portable system 100 may include the vacuum pump 210 to draw the fluid out from the proximal end and retract the primary piston 104 towards the proximal end of the handheld device 102. In one example, the vacuum pump 210 may apply a suction pressure at the proximal end to draw the fluid back to the storage chamber 206. The suction pressure at the proximal end may also pull the primary piston 104 back to the proximal end. The controller 202 may further communicate with the fluid compressor 204 to deliver a second shot, as two shots were requested by the user. The controller 202 may operate the fluid compressor 204 to deliver the pressurized fluid for a second time to the proximal end. On receiving the fluid, the primary piston 104 may move and collide with the secondary piston 106 and a second shockwave may be generated in the liquid filled in the column 110. Energy of the second shockwave may then be transferred by the membrane 112 to the wound area. The controller 202 may again operate the vacuum pump 210 to draw the fluid out from the proximal end and retract the primary piston 104 back to the proximal end.

[0034] Therefore, the number of times that the fluid is supplied to the handheld device 102 may define the number of times the primary piston 104 may move and collide with the secondary piston 106 resulting in generation of the shockwave. The number of shockwaves that may be generated in the liquid and delivered to the membrane 112 may thus be controlled by controlling the number of times the primary piston 104 may collide with the secondary piston 106. Therefore, number of the shockwaves, i.e., number of shots to be delivered to the wound area, by the membrane 112, may be controlled. Thus, the number of shots to be delivered to the wound area may be dynamically defined for treating different wounds. [0035] The portable system 100 may further include a housing 212 to house at least one of the handheld device 102, the user input device 200, the controller 202, fluid compressor 204, the storage chamber 206, and the vacuum pump 210. In one example, the housing 212 may be in form of a portable box-like structure to house the above mentioned components of the portable system 100. The housing 212 may be made of any material. For example, the housing 112 may be made of plastic, metal, an alloy, or fiber.

[0036] The portable system 100 may further include a power supply unit (not shown) to supply electrical power to the above-mentioned components of the portable system 100. In one example, the power supply unit may receive electrical power from an Alternating Current (AC) source. In another example, the power supply unit may receive electrical power from a Direct Current (DC) source.

[0037] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate a block diagram of a handheld device, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter. In one example, the handheld device may be the handheld device 102, as discussed in Figures 1 and 2. In one example implementation, the handheld device 102 may include a primary piston, such as the primary piston 104 and a secondary piston, such as the secondary piston 106. The handheld device 102 may be in the form of a hollow elongated cylindrical structure having a proximal end 302 and a distal end 304. The primary piston 104 may be located at the proximal end 302 and the secondary piston 106 may be located at the distal end 304.

[0038] In one example, the handheld device 102 may further include a cartridge, such as the cartridge 108, located at the distal end 304 of the handheld device 102. The cartridge 108 may be in physical contact with the secondary piston 106, as discussed in Figures 1 and 2. The cartridge 108 may include a column, such as the column 110, filled with a liquid. The cartridge 108 may further include a membrane, such as the membrane 112, located at a bottom end 306 of the column 110.

[0039] In one example implementation, the handheld device 102 may be placed over the wound area for treating a wound. The handheld device 102 may then be initiated by the user, as discussed in Figure 2. On initiation, a pressurized fluid may be supplied to the proximal end 302 of the handheld device 102. In one example implementation, the handheld device 102 may include an inlet valve, such as the inlet valve 208, to control passage of the fluid towards the proximal end 302. For example, the inlet valve 208 may allow flow of the fluid in an open state and restrict flow of the fluid in a closed state. On initiation, the inlet valve 208 may operate in the open state to allow supply of the pressurized fluid to the proximal end 302.

[0040] On receiving the pressurized fluid at the proximal end 302, the primary piston 104 near at the proximal end 302 may experience pressure and may start moving towards the distal end 304, as illustrated by an arrow 308. While moving towards the distal end 304, the primary piston 104 may collide with the secondary piston 106, as illustrated in Figure 3B. In one example, the primary piston 104 may collide with a first side 310 of the secondary piston 106.

[0041] Due to the collision, an impact energy may be transferred to the cartridge 108, being in physical contact with the secondary piston 106. In one example, the cartridge 108 may be in physical contact with a second side 312 of the secondary piston 106. For example, a top end 314 of the column 110 may be in physical contact with the second side 312 of the secondary piston 106. The column 110 may thus experience the collision of the primary piston 104 with the secondary piston 106 owing to which at least some amount of the impact energy may be transferred to the column 110. The liquid filled in the column 110 may thus experience at least some amount of the impact energy and at least one shockwave may be initiated in the liquid.

[0042] The shockwave initiated in the liquid may traverse through the column 110 to the membrane 112 located at the bottom end 306 of the column 110. In one example, the shockwave may traverse in the liquid from the top end 314 to the bottom end 306 of the column 110. A top surface 316 of the membrane 112 may be in a fluid communication with the liquid filled in the column 110. The shockwave generated in the liquid may thus be communicated through the column 110 to the membrane 112. A bottom surface 318 of the membrane 112 may be placed in contact with the wound area to transfer an energy of the shockwave to the wound area and enhance healing speed of the wound by triggering cell -proliferation and angiogenesis.

[0043] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of the portable system 100 comprising the handheld device 102, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter. As discussed in Figures 1 and 2, the portable system 100 may include the handheld device 102. In one example, the handheld device 102 may be detachably coupled to the housing 212 of the portable system 100. For example, the housing 212 may include a receiving unit (not shown) to detachably receive and hold the handheld device 102. The user may detach the handheld device 102 from the receiving unit for use, for example, to place the handheld device 102 over the wound area for treating the wound.

[0044] Further, the handheld device 102 may be in fluid communication with the fluid compressor 204 and the vacuum pump 210. In one example, the handheld device 102 may be fluidly coupled with the fluid compressor 204 and the vacuum pump 206 using a tube 402. The tube 402 may facilitate in providing the fluid from the fluid compressor 204 to the proximal end 302 of the handheld device 102. The tube 402 may also facilitate the vacuum pump 210 to draw back fluid from the proximal end 302 of the handheld device 102.

[0045] In one example implementation, the handheld device 102 may be placed over the wound area by the user. On initiation of the handheld device 102, the fluid compressor 204 may supply pressurized fluid through the tube 402 to the proximal end 302 of the handheld device 102. On receiving the fluid, the primary piston 104 located at the proximal end 302 may experience high pressure and may start moving towards the secondary piston 106 located at the distal end 304. The primary piston 104 may subsequently collide with the secondary piston 106 and at least one shockwave may be initiated in the liquid filled in the column 110 of the cartridge 108. The shockwave initiated in the liquid may traverse though the column 110 to the membrane 112 placed on the wound area and may thus transfer an energy of the shockwave to the wound area for accelerated healing of the wound.

[0046] Further, once the shockwave has been initiated in the liquid, the vacuum pump 210 may draw back the pressurized fluid delivered to the proximal end 302, through the tube 402. In one example, the vacuum pump 210 may apply a suction pressure at the proximal end 302 though the tube 402. Due to the suction pressure, the fluid delivered at the proximal end may be sucked back through the tube 402 and may be deposited back in the storage chamber 206. The fluid may again be drawn by the fluid compressor 204 for subsequent shots, as discussed in Figure 2.

[0047] Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram of a replaceable cartridge, according to an example implementation of the present subject matter. In one example, the replaceable cartridge may be the cartridge 108 discussed in Figures 1 to 4. In one example implementation, the replaceable cartridge 108 may include a column, such as the column 110, that may be filled with a liquid. The column 110 may be in form of an elongated channel formed by side walls 502-1, 502-2, and 502-3, collectively referred as side walls 502. The liquid may be filled inside the elongated channel formed by the side walls 502. In one example, there may be no side wall at the bottom end 306 of the column 110 so that the liquid filled in the column 110 may be in fluid communication with the top surface 316 of the membrane 112.

[0048] Further, the top end 314 of the column 110 may be in contact with a shockwave generating device to initiate at least one shockwave in the liquid. In one example, the shockwave generating device may be the handheld device 102 illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. In one example implementation, the shockwave generating device 102 may transfer an impact energy to the column 110, being in contact with the shockwave generating device 102. One or more shockwaves may thus be initiated in the liquid filled in the column 110, as discussed in Figures 1 to 4. In one example, the channel 110 may be partially filled with the liquid so that the liquid may be able to traverse a shockwave, generated due to the impact energy received from the shockwave generating device 102, from the top end 314 of the column 110 to the bottom end 306 of the column 110. The shockwave may thus be communicated to a membrane, such as the membrane 112, located at the bottom end 306 of the column 110. In one example, the top surface 316 of the membrane 112 may be in fluid communication with liquid filled in the column 110 and the shockwave may thus be communicated to the membrane 112 via the top surface 316.

[0049] In one example implementation, the membrane 112 may be placed on the wound area for treating the wound. The membrane 112 may transfer an energy of the shockwave for accelerated wound healing, as discussed in Figures 1 to 4. In one example, the bottom surface 318 of the membrane 112 may be brought in physical contact with the wound area to transfer the energy of the shockwave to the wound area, having the wound to be treated. The membrane may be made from any material having Young’s modulus range 55 - 200 GPa, Yield stress limit range 145 - 1200 MPa, and material thickness range 0.2 mm - 3.7 mm.

[0050] In one example, the replaceable cartridge 108 may be detachably attached to the shockwave generating device 102. For example, the replaceable cartridge 108 may be detachably attached to a distal end, such as the distal end 304, of the shockwave generating device 102 using any attaching mechanism, such as a push-fit mechanism or by using one or more screws. Further, the replaceable cartridge 108 may be detached from the shockwave generating device 102 after use. In one example, the replaceable cartridge 108 may be detached for being replaced with a new cartridge. For example, the replaceable cartridge 108 may be replaced with the new cartridge after a predefined number of shots have been delivered using the replaceable cartridge 108. The replaceable cartridge 108 may also be replaced with the new cartridge after noticing any wear and tear of the cartridge 108 by the user.

VALIDATION AND RESULTS

[0051] For the purpose of validation, a diabetic wound model was established in a laboratory mice to evaluate efficacy of the portable system 100 for treating wounds. Wounds were created in the animals by following ethically approved protocols. The diabetic animals were randomly divided into control and treatment groups. The control group of animals were the animals that were not provided any wound treatment using the portable system 100. The treatment group of animals were the animals that were provided wound treatment using the portable system 100. The shockwave treatment, using the portable system 100, was given by applying an ultrasonic gel over the wound to help propagate the shockwave. 6 shots per animal were administered daily at 3 bar pressure. Wound healing progression was monitored daily by imaging and tracing along the wound edges. The rate of wound healing was observed to be significantly higher in the animals treated with the portable system 100 as compared to the control group of animals (that were not treated using the portable system 100).

[0052] Results obtained from the treatment of the control group of animals and the treatment group of animals are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1

[0053] Figure 6 depicts images 602 and 604 of wounds established in the control group of animals and treatment group of animals (Shockwave treated using the portable system 100). The images 602 and 604 represent the size (area) of the wounds established in the control group of animals and treatment group of animals on Day 1 and Day 15, respectively. For example, the image 602 represents the size of the wound in the control group of animals on Day 1, as illustrated by arrow 606, and Day 15, as illustrated by arrow 608. The image 604 represents the size of the wound in the treatment group of animals on Day 1, as illustrated by arrow 610, and Day 15, as illustrated by arrow 612. From the images, it may be observed that the wounds that were shockwave treated using the portable system 100, i.e., the wounds of the treatment group of animals, as illustrated in the image 604, healed at a significantly faster rate as compared to the wounds of the control group of animals.

[0054] From the above results, it may thus be observed that the wounds treated using the portable system 100 heal at a significantly faster rate as compared to the untreated wounds of the control group of animals. [0055] Although examples for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it should be understood that the appended claims are not limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed and explained as examples of the present subject matter.

Claims

I/We Claim:

1. A portable system (100) for accelerated wound healing, wherein the portable system (100) comprises: a handheld device (102) having a proximal end (302) and a distal end (304), wherein the handheld device (102) comprises: a primary piston (104) located at the proximal end (302) of the handheld device (102), wherein the primary piston (104) is to move towards the distal end (304) of the handheld device (102) upon receiving a pressure from the proximal end (302) of the handheld device (102); a secondary piston (106) located at the distal end (304) of the handheld device (102), wherein the primary piston (104) is to collide with a first side (310) of the secondary piston (106) when in motion from the proximal end (302) towards the distal end (304) of the handheld device (102); a cartridge (108) located at the distal end (304) of the handheld device (102) and in physical contact with a second side (312) of the secondary piston (106), wherein the cartridge (108) comprises: a column (110) filled with a liquid, wherein a top end (314) of the column (110) is in physical contact with the second side (312) of the secondary piston (106), wherein the collision of the primary piston (104) with the secondary piston (106) initiates at least one shockwave in the liquid filled in the column (110); a membrane (112) located at a bottom end (306) of the column (110), wherein a top surface (316) of the membrane (112) is in fluid communication with the liquid filled in the column (110) to allow the shockwave generated in the liquid to traverse through the column (110) to the membrane (112), and wherein a bottom surface (318) of the membrane (112) is to be placed in contact with a wound area to transfer an energy of the shockwave to the wound area for accelerated healing of a wound.

2. The portable system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handheld device (102) further comprises: an inlet valve (208) to control passage of a fluid towards the proximal end (302) of the handheld device (102), wherein the inlet valve (208) is to allow flow of the fluid in an open state and restrict flow of the fluid in a closed state.

3. The portable system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fluid is to apply the pressure from the proximal end (302) to move the primary piston (104) towards the distal end (304) of the handheld device (102).

4. The portable system (100) as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: a housing (212) to house at least one of: the handheld device (102); a storage chamber (206) to store the fluid; a fluid compressor (204) to receive the fluid from the storage chamber (206) and provide pressurized fluid to the proximal end (302) of the handheld device (102) through the inlet valve (208); a vacuum pump (210) to draw the fluid out from the proximal end (302) to retract the primary piston (104) towards the proximal end (302) of the handheld device (102); a user input device (200) to receive one or more inputs from a user; and a controller (202) communicably coupled with the user input device (200), the fluid compressor (204), and the vacuum pump (210) to control the operation of the fluid compressor (204) and the vacuum pump (210).

5. The portable system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the controller (202) is to: receive the one or more inputs from the user input device (200); operate the fluid compressor (204) to supply the fluid towards the proximal end (302) of the handheld device (102) based on the one or more inputs; operate the vacuum pump (210) to draw the fluid from the proximal end (302) of the handheld device (102) based on the one or more inputs; and operate the inlet valve (208) in the open and closed states.

6. The portable system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cartridge (108) is detachably attached to the distal end (304) of the handheld device (102), and wherein the cartridge (108) is detached to be replaced with a new cartridge.

7. The portable system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cartridge (108) is detachably attached to the distal end (304) of the handheld device (102) using at least one of a push-fit mechanism and one or more screws.

8. A replaceable cartridge (108) for shockwave transfer, the replaceable cartridge (108) comprising: a column (110) at least partially filled with a liquid, wherein a top end (314) of the column (110) is to be in contact with a shockwave generating device (102) to initiate at least one shockwave in the liquid; and a membrane (112) located at a bottom end (306) of the column (110), wherein a top surface (316) of the membrane is in fluid communication with the liquid filled in the column (110), wherein a bottom surface (318) of the membrane (112) is brought in physical contact with a wound area to transfer an energy of the at least one shockwave to the wound area for accelerated healing of a wound.