Scaffolding Technology Set To Revolutionise Wound Healing

Wounds are an affliction that is almost as old as the human race. However, we survived and prospered thanks to the incredible regenerative capacity of our skin. Acute wounds mostly healed without any intervention although they often left a scar – a symbol – people widely associated with bravery.
 
Although medical advances lengthened our age span, our regenerative capacity did not increase proportionally. This gave rise to increased instances of slower healing wounds – chronic wounds, such as leg ulcers, pressure sores, diabetic foot ulcers.
 
Since the early 60s, Winter’s concept of moist wound healing has formed the backbone of wound management, but his research was limited to acute, superficial wounds. However, moist wound healing does not provide a basis for satisfactory management of every type of wound. Whilst it has been demonstrated that a moist environment at the wound site has been shown to aid the rate of epithelialisation in superficial wounds, it was found that excess moisture at the wound site also caused maceration of the periwound skin.
 
By examining the problems that occur with moist wound healing I was able to begin developing a process that took a novel approach to the treatment of both acute and chronic wounds.
 
My studies showed there were several key areas that needed to be addressed in order for patients to have satisfactory outcomes, i.e. complete wound healing. Some concerns arose as a result of inconsistencies in current wound management practise, for example where dressings were being renewed at varying periods, others by simple observation.
 
This led to the development of medical device Youki, a two part complete wound healing and scar repair system which follows the dry wound healing approach and uses scaffolding technology to facilitate healing.
 
The combination of scaffolding technology and dry wound healing leads to complete wound healing as opposed to merely, in the case of chronic wounds, long-term wound management. My aim was to work logically through the entire wound healing cycle to ensure complete healing takes place – from the inflammatory phase, granulation, re-epithelialisation and remodelling.
 
Youki forms a permeable membrane that allows the wound to breathe, supports the body’s natural humidity and also allows excess exudate to flow away from the wound site. It forms its own dressing over the wound bed which builds up upon repeated application, leaving the area undisturbed. It is specially formulated so that it does not cause an inflammatory response or iatrogenic reaction often associated with certain wound dressings. Youki offers a patient-friendly option which addressed cases of non-compliance in relation to pressure bandages.
 
The device is made up of two parts:
 

1. Youki Bio-Cell Spray for use on open wounds. The spray creates an environment for accelerated wound healing. The spray assists healing by providing a protective layer or scaffold that shields during the epithelialisation and granulation phases. Repeated spraying ensures that this protective film is maintained without the need for a secondary dressing. Youki Bio-Cell Spray shortens the inflammatory phase and hastens epithelialisation. Healing time is significantly reduced as the wound is left uncovered and allowed to heal undisturbed.
2. Youki Skin Repair Cream is a specially formulated to help to condition and soothe fragile and damaged skin of the peri-wound area. It helps accelerate the granulation and remodelling phases which helps minimise scarring. The cream nourishes and hydrates the skin, reduces the appearance of post-inflammatory pigmentation (PIH) and prevents keloid scars.

 
The device is biodegradable and therefore has negligible environmental impact. Traditional wound management uses various ointments and dressings which are renewed periodically, this may be as often as three or four times a week. Clinical waste, which is classified as a “bio-hazard”, requires incineration which not only has a high cost attached but also a significant adverse environmental impact. Youki has positive environmental benefits because the patient, in most cases, does not require the use of a secondary dressing.
 
The system has been designed to put the patient in control of their wound healing. By empowering the patient to take ownership of their wound care, increased positive outcomes and better patient experiences have been observed. This has a positive impact on the NHS as valuable resources including nursing time can be employed elsewhere.
 
The growing demand and lack of specialist aftercare following surgical, cosmetic and aesthetic procedures has meant that Youki has made a natural progression into these areas. Specialist aftercare is needed due to the increase in doctors offering invasive procedures, such as radiofrequency treatments, skin needling, fractional laser, and injectables and fillers. Youki provides aftercare that reduces patient down-time and minimises the risk of scarring and PIH.
 
For further information and case studies: www.youki.co.uk
Contact: 01628 674 644 or enquiry@clinogen.com