Introduction
Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the most serious complications of diabetes mellitus and are associated with high morbidity as well as mortality. They often predate amputation of the feet and / or the lower limbs and therefore have a major im pact on the quality of life of the patients and their families as well as on national health care and social systems.
Management of diabetic foot lesions is complex and represents a great challenge for physicians, hospitals and health care providers and the effort is concentrating on prevention. Improved wound healing with long-term regeneration mechanisms for the affected tissue is required.
With its new Spark Wave Technology, MTS introdu-ces an innovative and highly effective treatment modality for improved wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers.
MTS Spark Wave® Technology and its mechanism of action in wound management
Spark Waves are especially effective shockwaves that are electro hydraulically generated by means of a spark discharge in a water quench.
The treatment with Spark Waves is non-invasive, well tolerated by patients and easy to apply on an outpatient basis. The Spark Wave energy is directly applied onto the wound itself where it can unfold its complete healing mechanisms in any phase of the wound healing process as well as before and after amputation. No side effects have been reported yet.
Spark Wave energy re-initiates the stagnating healing process in a sub acute and chronic state and initiates effective healing process in an acute stadium. Spark Waves activate a cascade of biochemical regeneration mechanisms and induce the following biological reactions on cellular level:
- the body´s own production of growth factors such as VEGF, eNOS, PCNA etc.
- the new promotion of blood vessels (angiogenesis & vasculogenesis) (Fig. 1)
- an improved blood flow (Fig. 2 ) and cell proliferation (Fig.3) as well as
- the migration of stem cells.
In addition, MTS Spark Waves unfold in vitro a bactericidal effect which strongly minimizes the amount of germs and bacteria in the affected tissue.
The combination of all mentioned factors stimulates the healing process and ultimately promotes the development of new and healthy tissue (Tissue Regeneration).
The working mechanisms of Spark Wave Technology promise a great chance of healing to diabetic foot patients. Clinical studies conducted with MTS Spark Wave Technology have shown encouraging therapy results. Blood vessels can be reproduced and the functionality of the tissue can be improved.
Scientific evidence of MTS Spark Wave®
Numerous scientific studies have been conducted to investigate the mechanism of action of MTS Spark Wave Technology in wound management.
It has been clearly proven in various animal models that Spark Wave Therapy produces favorable molecular microenvironment in the wound tissue, to suppress early pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and to enhance production of growth factors and therefore neovascularization.
In addition, human studies support Spark Wave treatment modality due to its efficacy and reproducibility. In many clinical studies, hard to heal as well as chronic wounds showed significant im provement after Spark Wave Therapy.
A List of SparkWave literature for further information can be found in the menu bar.
