Scientists at the University of California, Riverside have developed a groundbreaking battery-powered oxygen gel designed to help diabetic patients heal faster.
The technology could reduce infections and potentially prevent amputations linked to chronic wounds.
The newly developed gel works by continuously delivering oxygen directly to damaged tissues. This sustained oxygen supply helps accelerate the body’s natural healing process.
According to researchers, wounds that remain open for more than a month are classified as chronic wounds. Around 12 million people suffer from such wounds each year, and nearly one-fifth of these cases result in amputation.
Why oxygen matters in healing
Experts say one of the primary causes of chronic wounds is a lack of oxygen deep within injured tissue.
When oxygen levels fall too low, wounds remain trapped in a prolonged inflammatory phase. This condition promotes bacterial growth and tissue breakdown instead of repair, making recovery difficult with traditional treatments.
The oxygen gel specifically targets this root cause by restoring oxygen levels and helping restart the natural healing cycle.
Promising early study results
Early preclinical studies have shown encouraging results. Researchers believe the technology could become an effective tool for doctors treating wounds that do not respond to conventional therapies.
If further testing confirms its safety and effectiveness, the gel may significantly improve outcomes for diabetic patients and others suffering from long-term wounds.
The findings of the study have been published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, highlighting the potential global impact of the innovation.
