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Electric Bandage

More than 850,000 chronic wounds are diagnosed in the United States each year. These open sores can be extremely painful, prone to infection and can put patients at risk for amputation. 

Now there is a new option just approved by the Food and Drug Administration.  It does not have a plug or cord, but you can call it an electric bandage.

Tom White suffers from a chronic wound.

"I got wounded over Palmero in a B-17 raid.  It was the lead navigator and our plane was hit," said Tom.

Tom White has more than photographs and medals to mark his military days.  Ever since he was wounded in World War II, he has been fighting a battle with war wounds that would not heal.

"They said I was caught between a rock and a hard place and they could do nothing but recommend amputation," said Tom.

Just when it seemed like there were no other options, a doctor recommended something new.

"It looks like a bandage, but does not act like a regular bandage," said Dr. Scott Sheftel, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Arizona.

When the electric bandage is moistened, it activates zinc and silver elements on the surface, creating a small electric current that penetrates the skin to stimulate healing.  Patients feel nothing during the process.

 "It's a normal physiologic stimulus. We're not giving something that's going to shock you like a TENS unit. We're recreating the bioelectric potential that's there.  It stimulates healing, stimulates cellular migration and that is part of the healing process," said Dr. Sheftel.

Thanks to the new bandage and some TLC from his wife, Tom's wound has gone from bad to good.

"It's working. It's tough, it's been a year, but it's working," said Tom.

Soon, Tom hopes to be walking again. At 90 years young, he's looking forward to many good years ahead.

The FDA approved the electric bandage in December.  The electric bandage is not covered by insurance yet, but its creators hope it will be within the next six months.