The problem: Chronic Wounds
A skin wound that heals slowly, recurs or doesn't heal at all is known as a chronic wound. Some of the many causes of chronic (ongoing) skin wounds can include trauma, burns, skin cancers, infection or underlying medical conditions such as diabetes.
Chronic non-healing wounds affect millions of patients each year and contribute significantly to their morbidity and mortality. These wounds have a substantial impact because of their effect on the reduction in quality of life, as well as the increased risk of death for those patients affected by them. There are a range of pathologies and circumstances in which wounds heal very slowly:
Diabetes results from the body’s inability to produce or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows the body to turn glucose into energy and for diabetic patients the body has difficulty metabolizing glucose which can lead to high blood sugar levels; this can affect the body’s ability to heal wounds.
In people with diabetes, wounds tend to progress more quickly and heal more slowly, and can develop into ulcers; foot and leg ulcers can become serious if left untreated - between 14 and 24 percent of people who have diabetes and develop an ulcer will end up having a lower limb amputation.
Chronic non-healing wounds affect millions of patients each year and contribute significantly to their morbidity and mortality. These wounds have a substantial impact because of their effect on the reduction in quality of life, as well as the increased risk of death for those patients affected by them. There are a range of pathologies and circumstances in which wounds heal very slowly:
Diabetes results from the body’s inability to produce or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows the body to turn glucose into energy and for diabetic patients the body has difficulty metabolizing glucose which can lead to high blood sugar levels; this can affect the body’s ability to heal wounds.
In people with diabetes, wounds tend to progress more quickly and heal more slowly, and can develop into ulcers; foot and leg ulcers can become serious if left untreated - between 14 and 24 percent of people who have diabetes and develop an ulcer will end up having a lower limb amputation.
The solution: AVE BioMed => Helping wounds heal
AVE is raising to funds to continue development of the biomedical research it started five years ago. Funds will go towards developing the proposed solutions below, and then subsequently validating these solutions in clinical trials together with a pharamaceutical partner.
AVE BioMed: "Active Skin"
AVE's molecular engineering technology has opened a path to a completely new approach to helping wounds heal. The solution that AVE is developing will deliver oxygen directly to wounded tissue in an environment where there is poor blood circulation, and in so doing helping the wound to heal.
The source of inspiration for the nano-lung concept derives from a symbiosis between animals and plants that is unique to coral. The method of generating oxygen relies on a combination of AVE's unique molecular grafting technology in combination with the unique s |
AVE BioMed: "Active Skin"
Waste products that cumulate in wounded areas are usually transported away by the lymphatic system. In patients that have poor circulation system, waste products can built up locally in the wound, delay healing and cause infection.
The solution that AVE is developing will help transport waste products away from the wound, acting to complement the lymphatic system. |
Coral
Coral are colonial organisms that grow to form the colourful structures that make up coral reefs.
Inside each coral polyp lives a single-celled algae called Zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae capture sunlight and perform photosynthesis, providing oxygen and other nutrients to the coral polyp that aid in its survival. In turn, the zooxanthellae is provided with the carbon dioxide and compounds it needs for photosynthesis expelled by the coral polyp.
Inside each coral polyp lives a single-celled algae called Zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae capture sunlight and perform photosynthesis, providing oxygen and other nutrients to the coral polyp that aid in its survival. In turn, the zooxanthellae is provided with the carbon dioxide and compounds it needs for photosynthesis expelled by the coral polyp.
AVE BioMed: Medical Committee
AVE has a medical committee to provide expert advise and feedback to the AVE developmen team. The team includes:
- Dr S Dewhite
- Dr A Morvan
- Dr J Boutier