Chitosan composite textile and electrostimulation enhanced wound dressing design

Decubitus ulcers are a long-term disease that directly affects a patient's normal life and requires a lengthy treatment process. The cornerstone of decubitus ulcer treatment is to reduce or eliminate pressure. In this study, a wound dressing system was developed to accelerate the healing process and reduce the development of decubitus ulcers. In this context, a new system was developed by combining two different treatment approaches. This system consists of a spacer fabric coated with chitosan and glycerol and an electrostimulation device. In this study, polyamide (PA) and polyester (PES) spacer fabrics containing chitosan and chitosan/glycerol were obtained through fulard, printing, and laboratory-based dip-coating processes. The obtained spacer fabrics were evaluated for amount of release and application, elasticity, antimicrobial activity and performance of the electrostimulation system. The chitosan-containing spacer fabrics demonstrated good antimicrobial activity. It was observed that the spacer fabrics containing glycerol had better application and release values compared to the other produced fabrics. Additionally, it was determined that glycerol enhances the swelling ability and absorption properties of the spacer fabrics and contributes to achieving a flexible structure by providing plasticity to the fabric. Additionally, an electrostimulation system was developed using an enhanced Howland circuit. A simulation of the circuit was conducted, and a prototype was built. The performance of the circuit was evaluated by comparing the output signals amplitude and frequency from both the simulation and the prototype. The designed circuit is capable of generating a current signal of up to 1 mA. Additionally, an adjustable frequency ranging from 0 to 100 Hz. The results of the study demonstrated that the developed system allows a more effective and comprehensive approach in the treatment and management of decubitus ulcers, positively impacting patients' lives and making significant contributions to the healthcare sector.