DC ELECTRICAL-STIMULATION FOR CHRONIC WOUND-HEALING ENHANCEMENT .2. PARAMETER DETERMINATION BY NUMERICAL MODELING

A three dimensional finite element model of the cutaneous wound stimul ated by direct electric current was built by means of the finite eleme nt method. As was assumed in part I of this article, the endogenous el ectrical properties of the injured skin are beneficial and necessary f or a normal course of healing. Therefore, an attempt was made to deter mine the parameters of transcutaneous electrical stimulation which wou ld result in an electric field similar to the endogenous one in the wo und area. The main goal of the study was to evaluate the influence of the electrodes' shape, size and position on the distribution of electr ic field in the epidermal layer at the edge of the injured tissue. The wound and the surrounding tissues were modelled as a cylinder with th e spherical shaped cut-off representing the wound. 5 layers of the ski n and subcutaneous tissues were modelled: epidermis, dermis, subcutis, and deeper lying fat and muscle tissue. In the parametric study perfo rmed, the influence of different electrode configurations on the distr ibution of the electric field was studied. Different sizes and positio ns of electrodes were examined by applying appropriate boundary condit ions. Electric field distributions were calculated for each case and t he differences in the resulting electric field were examined. Accordin g to the results obtained, some guidelines are given for the selection of the electrodes configuration in the DC electrical stimulation for chronic wound healing enhancement. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.