Page 13 - OxyBand Research Background

OxyBand Dressing Accelerates Wound Healing

present studies suggest that OxyBandTM dressings deliver oxygen at levels that
significantly increase healing and reduce pain, and thus may be well suited for the

treatment of superficial burns, abrasions, and uncomplicated wounds or aesthetic

procedures.

INTRODUCTION:

The effects of oxygen on healing wounds show that oxygen is essential for

tissue repair including angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, epithelialization, wound
contraction, and prevention of infections (Whitney, 1989; Hopf et al, 2005; Gordillo &

Sen, 2003; Rahat et al., 2006). Research in animals and humans demonstrates the
basic physiology of wound healing is oxygen dependent, and several aspects of the

healing process are accelerated with oxygen. For example, collagen synthesis is

enhanced under hyperoxic conditions (Prockop, 1963; Niinikoski, 1969; Hunt & Pai,
1972). Angiogenesis, on the other hand, appears to be stimulated by both a hypoxic

tissue gradient, with new capillaries extending in the direction of lower oxygen
concentration, and at hyperoxic conditions (Hopf et al, 2005).

The supply of oxygen to healing tissue derives from three sources: oxygen

chemically bound to hemoglobin in whole blood; oxygen dissolved in plasma; and
oxygen which diffuses into wound fluid or tissue from the exterior. For surface wounds,

all sources of oxygen are important.
Prior studies of wounds covered with plastic films found that the higher the

oxygen permeability of the film, the greater the healing rate (Winter, 1977; Silver, 1972).

Furthermore, the films prevent scab formation, allowing for epidermal cell migration
across the wound surface. The use of wound dressings that prevent scab formation

and have increased oxygen permeability are understood to increase the rate of wound
healing.

Low oxygen levels in wounds delays healing, results in higher rates of
infection, impaired fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, reduces tensile

strength, and reduces mobility of various cells (Gordillo & Sen, 2003; Rahat et al., 2006;

Tandara & Mustoe, 2004). Oxygen levels in tissue drops initially upon wounding due to

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