03 Nov Enhancing standard of care for wound healing
For a medical technology (MedTech) device to be successfully adopted within a healthcare system, it needs to have proof of concept, regulatory approval, and clinical data that shows it enhances the current standard of care or addresses an unmet need.
The geko™ device is clinically proven to enhance blood flow in the deep veins of the legs – made possible by an innovative mechanism of non-invasive neuromuscular electrostimulation of the common peroneal nerve that activates the calf muscles. This accelerates blood flow, delivering countless health benefits, including the prevention of life-threatening blood clots, the reduction of swelling following lower limb orthopaedic surgery, and the promotion of wound healing (leg ulcers).
Recent studies by Das (2021a; 2021b) and Bosanquet (2020) have explored the effect of the geko™ device on microcirculation (blood flow increase) to the wound edge and bed in leg ulcer patients. Both studies measured flux and pulsatility, key elements associated with wound healing and report significant increases in both – the latter is of particular pertinence, since pulsatile flow is a predicter of wound healing.
Enhanced blood flow aiding wound healing
In a single centre open label study, Das et al. (2021a) looked at the effect of neuromuscular stimulation on lower limb arterial and venous blood flow of 14 VLU patients. Results from an Imaging Doppler Ultrasound showed that the geko™ device produced substantial increased blood velocity in the large vessels of the patients’ legs. Arterial and venous flow increased significantly – a significant benefit for the management of leg ulcers. The geko™ device was also reported to be comfortable and well tolerated by patients, and quick and easy to apply.
Das et al. (2021b) later explored the effects of the geko™ device on microcirculation in the wound bed and wound periphery. Microcirculatory flow via flux and pulsatility was examined. Laser speckle contract imaging (LCSI) was used to determine whether muscle pump activation via the geko™ device enhanced microvascular flow. Results showed an increase in both flux and pulsatility with the geko™ device switched on. Activation of the muscle pumps led to increased blood movement to the wound bed and periphery – a contributor to wound healing.
Bosanquet et al. (2020) investigated the effects of the geko™ device on arterial leg ulcer patients that showed contraindications to compression therapy. The single-centre open label study measured blood flow via LSCI. Results showed a significant increase in flux and pulsatility across all patients. The geko™ device enhanced flux at the wound bed by a mean of 64 percent and pulsatility by a mean of 452 percent; flux at the peri-wound area increased by a mean of 37 percent and pulsatility by a mean of 188 percent.
Potential for geko™ application in wound healing
The studies demonstrate that the geko™ device enhances the augmentation of venous and arterial flow. The augmentative effect of NMES on the microcirculation, both in terms of flux and pulsatility, provide a mechanistic insight into the geko™ device’s value in wound healing – the latter of particular clinical importance, as pulsatile flow is a predicter of wound healing. For a medical technology (MedTech) device to be successfully adopted within a healthcare system, it needs to have proof of concept, regulatory approval, and clinical data that shows it enhances the current standard of care or addresses an unmet need.
The geko™ device is clinically proven to enhance blood flow in the deep veins of the legs – made possible by an innovative mechanism of non-invasive neuromuscular electrostimulation of the common peroneal nerve that activates the calf muscles. This accelerates blood flow, delivering countless health benefits, including the prevention of life-threatening blood clots, the reduction of swelling following lower limb orthopaedic surgery, and the promotion of wound healing (leg ulcers).
Recent studies by Das (2021a; 2021b) and Bosanquet (2020) have explored the effect of the geko™ device on microcirculation (blood flow increase) to the wound edge and bed in leg ulcer patients. Both studies measured flux and pulsatility, key elements associated with wound healing and report significant increases in both – the latter is of particular pertinence, since pulsatile flow is a predicter of wound healing.
Enhanced blood flow aiding wound healing
In a single centre open label study, Das et al. (2021a) looked at the effect of neuromuscular stimulation on lower limb arterial and venous blood flow of 14 VLU patients. Results from an Imaging Doppler Ultrasound showed that the geko™ device produced substantial increased blood velocity in the large vessels of the patients’ legs. Arterial and venous flow increased significantly – a significant benefit for the management of leg ulcers. The geko™ device was also reported to be comfortable and well tolerated by patients, and quick and easy to apply.
Das et al. (2021b) later explored the effects of the geko™ device on microcirculation in the wound bed and wound periphery. Microcirculatory flow via flux and pulsatility was examined. Laser speckle contract imaging (LCSI) was used to determine whether muscle pump activation via the geko™ device enhanced microvascular flow. Results showed an increase in both flux and pulsatility with the geko™ device switched on. Activation of the muscle pumps led to increased blood movement to the wound bed and periphery – a contributor to wound healing.
Bosanquet et al. (2020) investigated the effects of the geko™ device on arterial leg ulcer patients that showed contraindications to compression therapy. The single-centre open label study measured blood flow via LSCI. Results showed a significant increase in flux and pulsatility across all patients. The geko™ device enhanced flux at the wound bed by a mean of 64 percent and pulsatility by a mean of 452 percent; flux at the peri-wound area increased by a mean of 37 percent and pulsatility by a mean of 188 percent.
Potential for geko™ application in wound healing
The studies demonstrate that the geko™ device enhances the augmentation of venous and arterial flow. The augmentative effect of NMES on the microcirculation, both in terms of flux and pulsatility, provide a mechanistic insight into the geko™ device’s value in wound healing – the latter of particular clinical importance, as pulsatile flow is a predicter of wound healing.
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