How does Flashwave® work in WOUND HEALING?

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Flashwave® treatment causes an increase in perfusion and arteriogenesis, biofilm disruption, a pro-inflammatory response, cytokine and chemokine effects, growth factor upregulation, angiogenesis and the subsequent regeneration of tissue such as skin, musculoskeletal
and vascular structures.

Inflammatory Response
An immediate inflammatory response can be seen after Flashwave® treatment, as the cellular communication has a modulating effect on the inflammation cascade. Wounds move through the inflammatory phase quicker, reaching proliferation phase of healing earlier.

Perfusion and Arteriogenesis
Biocellular Transductive Wave Therapy leads to an increase in perfusion. As the Flashwave® penetrates the microcirculatory system, there is an immediate change in
local blood flow in the treated area as early as 2–8 hours after treatment due to the vasodilation (increasing diameter) of pre-existing vessels. This increase in perfusion is important because it decreases the ischemia often
associated with impaired healing.

Biofilm
Antibiotic-resistant bacterial colonies often produce biofilms. A biofilm is a defensive mechanism that creates a physical protective barrier against antibiotic treatment.  Flashwave® treatment can break up the physical biofilm barriers, utilizing the physical energy the wave carries into the tissue, thereby allowing antibiotics to gain access to the entrenched bacteria and eradicate the colony.

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Growth Factor Upregulation
At a cellular level, Flashwave® applies physical force to individual cells in the treated area. As a result, the cells have a biological response to these physical forces, referred to as transduction or cellular communication. Cellular communication occurs when the genes in the cell are activated to produce wound healing proteins known as growth factors. Pro-angiogenic growth factors such as eNOS, VEGF, vWF, PCNA, EGF and others are upregulated as a result of Flashwave®.

These factors start a cascade of cellular activities, causing an increase in cellular proliferation and tissue regeneration.

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Epithelialization

Biocellular Transductive Wave Therapy has an effect in the stabilization, size reduction and, with time, complete re-epithelialization of wounds, specifically diabetic foot ulcers. Significant re-epithelialization is demonstrated
by wounds treated with Flashwaves® as compared to wounds not being treated with Flashwave®.

Granulation
Cellular proliferation, which is sped up by Flashwave®, is one of the most noticeable stages of wound healing. During this stage, cells divide and cover the wound surface to close the wound. This process begins with a granulation tissue phase that builds vascularized tissue in the wound. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a growth factor indicating that this stage of wound healing is progressing.

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Angiogenesis
The pro-angiogenic factors released in response to Flashwave® lead to new vessel formation resulting in the creation of new capillary networks in the treated area. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) corresponds to the growth of new blood vessels that allow blood flow improvement in a wound area.