Method and apparatus for improved wound healing

Abstract

A pad for electrically stimulated wound healing, including a pad configured to be placed on a wound, at least one anode disposed on the pad to contact the wound, and at least one cathode disposed on the pad to contact the wound, the at least one cathode being disposed separately from the at least on anode. The pad wherein the at least one anode and the at least one cathode in contact with the wound provide a flow of electrical current in an intended direction through the wound based on the separate locations of the at least one anode and the at least one cathode.

1 . A pad for electrically stimulated wound healing, comprising:
 a pad configured to be placed on a wound;   a plurality of anode elements disposed on the pad to contact the wound; and   a plurality of cathode elements disposed on the pad to contact the wound,   wherein the plurality of anode elements and the plurality of cathode elements interact with an exudate from the wound to provide a flow of electrical current in an intended direction through the wound.   
     
     
         2 . The pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of anode elements are grouped at a center of the pad and the plurality of cathode elements are disposed to surround the plurality of anode elements. 
     
     
         3 . The pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of anode elements and the plurality of cathode elements each comprise metallic salts. 
     
     
         4 . The pad according to  claim 3 , wherein the metallic salts of the plurality of anode elements differ from the metallic salts of the plurality of cathode elements. 
     
     
         5 . The pad according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of anode elements and the plurality of cathode elements are formed by an ointment. 
     
     
         6 . The pad according to  claim 5 , wherein in the case of the plurality of anode elements the ointment is one of calamine lotion or zinc oxide. 
     
     
         7 . The pad according to  claim 5 , wherein in the case of the plurality of cathode elements the ointment is silver sulfadiazine cream. 
     
     
         8 . The pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of anode elements and the plurality of cathode elements are disposed in random patterns.