Sutures have traditionally been the primary method of closing deep and large wounds, promoting faster healing by bringing the wound edges closer together. Without them, wounds heal more slowly, leave larger scars, and are more likely to become infected. However, traditional sutures are not without their problems: movement of the affected area can cause the stitches to open, and once the healing process is complete, they need to be removed by a doctor. Now, a team of scientists from Donghua University in China has developed a new type of suture that could solve these problems and speed up the healing process.
The innovation lies in a specialized mechano-electrical fiber that generates electrical fields when moved. This fiber is designed with two layers: a core and a sheath. When the wound area moves, the contact between the layers changes, creating electrical signals. Research has shown that these electrical fields can accelerate healing by stimulating cell movement and tissue regeneration.
Promising results in laboratory tests
In a series of experiments, the researchers tested the new electrical sutures on cell cultures in the laboratory. After 24 hours, the electrical sutures had reduced the size of the wound by 58,2%, going from 69% of the wound surface to just 10,8%. In comparison, traditional sutures had reduced the wound area only 36,8%, leaving 32,6% of the wound exposed. The secret of this faster healing lies in the electrical fields generated by the sutures, which stimulate the migration of the fibroblasts, cells that play a crucial role in building new connective tissue by producing collagen.
Encouraged by the success achieved with cell cultures, the team proceeded to test the electrical sutures on rats. Over the course of 10 days, wounds treated with electrical sutures closed by 96,5%, significantly outperforming the control group, in which traditional sutures closed only 60,4% of the wound area.
Electrical sutures also demonstrated a clear advantage in preventing infections: regardless of whether the wounds were disinfected daily, rats treated with electrical sutures showed significantly lower bacterial levels than those treated with traditional sutures.
Advantages of Electric Sutures in Wound Treatment
What distinguishes these electric sutures from other technologies wound healing is that they work passively, without the need for external devices such as biosensors or batteries. The mechanical movement of the patient is sufficient to generate the necessary electrical signals, making this approach more convenient and less invasive.
In addition, electric sutures are made with bioabsorbable materials, which means they break down naturally in the body over time. This eliminates the need for a follow-up procedure to remove the stitches., reducing the risk of complications and the need for further medical interventions.
Future Potential and Next Steps
Although this research is still in its early stages, the potential for these electrically powered sutures to revolutionize wound healing is significant. With faster healing times, lower infection rates, and the added benefit of being self-degradable, these sutures could offer a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional suturing methods.
Before they can be used in the clinic, however, there is still some work to be done. Further studies will be needed to test the safety and effectiveness of electrical sutures in humans. But with promising results from animal studies, this new technology offers an exciting glimpse into the future of wound care, one in which healing could be faster, safer, and less invasive.
For further details, you can consult the original research here.
