Combined Ultrasound and Electric Field Stimulation - an emerging wound treatment

Launch of Unique Wound Care Clinic on Harley Street

On the 8th of September 2015, The London Wound Clinic positioned on the famous Harley Street, officially opened its doors.  The clinic specialises in and is solely dedicated to the treatment and management of chronic wounds such as leg and foot ulcers or pressure ulcers.

The team at the London Wound Clinic comprisesy Mr Jeremy Crane Consultant Vascular & Transplant Surgeon (Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust) and Lynne Hudgell Senior Lecturer in Tissue Viability and Dr Miles Boyden General Practitioner. They are dedicated to providing patients with the latest evidence based gold standard therapies and treatments for the management of chronic wounds.

All new patients undergo a complete set of tests and investigations, (including biopsy and Doppler) prior to commencing any treatment , and as part of their management, the team develop patient specific treatment regimens to assist in the healing of their wounds.

The London Wound Clinic is also the first and only specialist clinic in the UK to offer patients the new state of the art BRH Therapy (combined modulated ultrasound and electric field stimulation [CUSEFS]),  which uses a combination of electro stimulation and low frequency ultrasound. The micro-circulation effect created by this technology is a massage-like process within the tissues and blood vessels of the impacted area. When ultrasonic waves enter the skin, they cause the tissues to vibrate and to soften, thus releasing and moving around fluids within the tissues, including blood from within blood vessels. This vibration generates heat and increases pressure within the tissues, encouraging increased blood flow and stimulating the production of collagen to promote new cell growth.

This painless and non-invasive breakthrough technology has been shown to be clinically effective and significantly aids healing by increasing blood flow within wounds. The technologies have an excellent safety record.

The device also includes patented software that fully documents the ulceration history and treatment’s results progress. The software enables immediate calculation of the wound size post each treatment to give the clinician an immediate response assessment.

Each treatment session lasts 20- 30 minutes and involves the application by the nurse technician of the hand held device around the wound edge margins, and over the wound itself.

In clinical evaluations, ulcers that had failed to close in 90 days or more by numerous different treatments have actually reduced in size by 60-100% after only eight treatments with the BRH® Therapy.

Studies

Study 1

Treatment regimen based on 20 minutes, twice a week, for 4 weeks.

Ulcers are photographed and measured by depth and surface area.

The subjects’ enrolled exhibited 60%-100% reduction in ulcer measured size as well as pain during the trial period.

Study 2

Studies carried out at multiple clinics found BRH® to be highly effective in reducing wound pain, as well as accelerating chronic wound closure. 58% of patients treated for diabetic foot ulcers saw more than 50% wound closure after just four weeks of therapy, while 69% of patients treated for venous leg ulcers experienced more than 50% closure in the same time.

The original study can be found at: http://www.woundsresearch.com/article/effect-combined-ultrasound-and-electric-field-stimulation-wound-healing-chronic-ulcerations

Tina Chambers, Vice Chair of the Tissue Viability Society said

“Having an open wound on the foot or leg can lead to infection, which can at best cause wounds to delay in healing,and at worst result in amputation and death. With the number of diabetic patients increasing, the number of people with foot ulceration will grow, increasing the burden on the health service.  Any technology that can assist in the healing of these chronic wounds, and thereby decrease the numbers requiring treatment, will be beneficial not only to the patient themselves, but the healthcare system too.”

It is not only the profession who are excited about this revolutionary advancement. Patients who have received the treatment are quick to endorse the results achieved. Bella Lawinsky shared her experience:

“I had a chronic wound that lasted for more then two years.  Nothing worked and I lived in terrible pain. It was recommended to use the BRH medical device. My wound has almost closed and I can't believe how amazing the results have been.”

Another patient, Hyman Lane, reported,

“I fell and injured my knee very badly. I was in a lot of pain and my wound was getting worse. I was very sceptical about the BRH machine at first but seeing the results I have experienced, I can highly recommend using it”.

About us

Mr Crane was appointed consultant vascular and transplant surgeon in October 2011 at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. He is based primarily at the Hammersmith Hospital where he provides a kidney and pancreas transplantation service and has set up a program of vascular access surgery for haemodialysis patients, the first of its kind in North West London. Mr Crane’s main interests include pancreatic transplantation, kidney transplantation surgery (both deceased donor and live related), vascular access surgery and mainstream vascular surgery.

Lynne Hudgell is a Tissue Viability Nurse with in depth knowledge and expertise in the prevention and management of tissue damage during the treatment of acute and chronic wounds. She also has an established record of successfully maximising the effectiveness of the healthcare service delivery through continuous improvement, including over 16 years of specialist experience as a Tissue Viability Nurse. .

In addition to the clinical remit. Lynne is also a lecturer at the New University of Bucks, where she teaches wound management and leg ulcer modules. The remit also includes working with Health Education North West London and Imperial College Health Partners as the clinical lead in projects aimed at reducing the numbers of pressure ulcers in organisations across North West London.

Dr Boyden has had extensive experience in both in hours and out of hours primary care and on top of his duties as a practicing GP, he is also Local Medical Lead for one of the operators of the 111 Service covering London.

For more information please call 020 8201 8500 or visit our web site http://www.londonwoundclinic.co.uk