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NotAHost t1_ixujgqx wrote

Reply to comment by VincentNacon in Stanford Researchers Develop Wireless Smart Bandage That Speeds Up Chronic Wound Healing by Sorin61

Measuring impedance probably gives you an idea of the state of the surface of the skin. Way to conductive? Probably wet/pus. High impedance? Very dry, to some level of cracking/scabbing/etc. As far as temperature, I thought you could see wounds differently with a thermal sensor as well. Combine the data and it might help narrow down a possible window on the state of the wound, even if it's not as good as what we can assess with our eyes.

As far as electrical stimulation, it is much more difficult to say. I had a device about 10-15 years ago that was FDA approved and would send ultrasonic waves to a broken bone to promote healing. How effective was it? Well, I have my doubts, but 'FDA' approved I hope there was a double blind study in there. I doubt the electrical stimulation is done acoustically, but I can imagine that they found some sort of FDA device/study that had electrical stimulation, added the electrical stimulation to the bandaid, and said 'ah, see, it can heal!' and cite the source for the electrical stimulation so they aren't questioned about it.

At least, that is what I would do as a grad student.

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screwhammer t1_ixuqqf5 wrote

FDA approves things as safe and does not seek further proof the thing works as described.

For example, FDA approved oscilococcinum as "safe". This doesn't mean oscilococcinum does anything for your health (it doesn't, homeopathy is a scam) - FDA just says it doesn't do anything bad for you.

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NotAHost t1_ixv2lrm wrote

From my reading, with drugs they have to go through the CDER to be proven effective. There isn't a single approved homeopathic drug, it's just the ingredients that are labeled safe. These ultrasonic bone healing devices are classified as medical devices, so I assume they go through more scrutiny than only safety. A variation can be found here which also has a link to the Exogen system.

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gmabarrett t1_ixv99jb wrote

For medical devices to be ‘approved’ by the FDA they have to demonstrate efficacy.

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WexfordHo t1_ixvi3bd wrote

Homeopathy is regulated as food, medical devices are not and just like pharmaceuticals an efficacy trial is part of the deal.

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