Noncontact, Low-Frequency Ultrasound Therapy Has Been Proven to Expedite Healing

UltraMIST Therapy has been clinically demonstrated to promote healing across a wide range of chronic and acute wounds. Unlike most wound therapies that are limited to treating the wound surface, the UltraMIST System delivers low-frequency ultrasound to the treatment site using a noncontact fluid (e.g., saline). MIST Systems produce a low energy ultrasound-generated mist to promote wound healing through wound cleansing and maintenance debridement by the removal of fibrin, yellow slough, tissue exudates, and bacteria.

Administered by trained healthcare personnel to thousands of patients for more than a decade and supported by a vast array of clinical evidence, the UltraMIST System’s acoustic wave therapy promotes healing by controlling inflammation and reducing bacteria in the wound bed while increasing angiogenesis. Further, to promote healing, it increases perfusion through vasodilation, ultimately increasing oxygen and nutrients to the tissue.

How UltraMIST Works

In action, the UltraMIST System mechanically removes barriers and promotes healing in a wide range of wound types. Indications include, but are not limited to, diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, and surgical, burn, and deep tissue injuries. It also reduces and removes a wide range of bacteria, including biofilms, while preserving healthy structures.

In a Meta-Analysis of Preclinical and Clinical Evidence* for Advanced Wound Closure, SANUWAVE® Ultrasound Healing Therapy Achieves an 85% Area Reduction in 7 Weeks Across a Wide Range of Chronic and Acute Wounds

*Data was compiled utilizing MIST System Therapy. The UltraMIST System is the successor, but maintains the same mechanism of action. For more, see our clinical summary.

Wound Healing Benefits of UltraMIST Therapy

High levels of bacteria in wounds delay healing. Mechanical stress caused by low frequency and noncontact ultrasound acoustic wave therapy result in bacterial cell death1 and reduction of bacterial count, even in highly colonized stage 3 pressure ulcers.2

Bacterial biofilm is a structured community of bacteria tightly enclosed within a self-produced exopolymeric matrix, and its presence is a significant barrier to wound or tissue healing. Since bacterial biofilm is metabolically inactive, it is extremely hard to disrupt with topical/systemic antibiotics, antimicrobials, and/or antiseptics. In a Boston University study, MIST* System treatments every day for six days dramatically reduced density of bacteria entrapped in the biofilm on an established rabbit ear biofilm model infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.4

*Data was compiled utilizing MIST System Therapy. The UltraMIST System is the successor, but maintains the same mechanism of action. For more, see our clinical summary.

Initial injury triggers an inflammatory response within a wound. Controlled inflammation is beneficial, but sustained inflammation can lead to stalled healing.5 Cellular balance is restored by reducing sustained levels of inflammation, allowing wound healing to progress. In a Boston University study, MIST therapy reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines in venous leg ulcers (VLU)6 and nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers.7 The VLU patients experienced a 45% mean reduction in wound size in four weeks compared to no notable improvement with standard of care.

Adequate perfusion and vasodilation are required to promote wound and tissue healing. In a Mayo Clinic study5, MIST System treatments improved perfusion to the wound bed that promotes wound healing. Blood flow is especially crucial in deep tissue pressure injuries (DTPI). A retrospective study of DPTIs7 found 80% did not progress beyond stage 2 with the UltraMIST System combined with standard of care (SOC) versus 22% with SOC alone.

New blood vessel formation is an essential component of wound healing as new capillary development and growth are needed to repair damaged tissue. In a 2004 study, MIST therapy accelerated angiogenesis in a diabetic mouse model.8 In another study,9 it was associated with spikes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers. The UltraMIST® System treatment group achieved an 86% wound area reduction versus 39% for SOC group.

References
  1. Kavros SJ, Schenck EC. Use of noncontact low-frequency ultrasound in the treatment of chronic foot and leg ulcerations: a 51 patient analysis. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2007;97(2):95-101.
  2. Serena T, Lee SK, Lam K, Attar P, Meneses P, Ennis W. The impact of noncontact, nonthermal, low-frequency ultrasound on bacterial counts in experimental and chronic wounds. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2009;55(1):22-30.
  3. Kavros SJ, Wagner SA, Wennberg PW, Cockerill FR. The effect of ultrasound mist transfer technology on virulent bacterial wound pathogens. Abstract. Presented at SAWC 2002.
  4. Seth AK, Mustoe TA, Galiano et al. Noncontact, low-frequency ultrasound as an effective therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected biofilm wounds. Wound Repair Regen. 2013;21(2):266-274.
  5. Liedl DA, Kavros SJ. The effect of mist ultra-sound transport technology on cutaneous microcirculatory blood flow. Abstract. SAWC, 2001.
  6. Honaker J, Forston M. Adjunctive use of noncontact low-frequency ultrasound for treatment of suspected deep tissue injury: a case series. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2011;38(4):394-403.
  7. Honaker JS, Forston MR, Davis EA, Wiesner MM, Morgan JA. Effects of noncontact low-frequency ultrasound on healing of suspected deep tissue injury: A retrospective analysis. Int Wound J. 2013;10(1):65-72.
  8. Thawer HA, Houghton PE. Effects of ultrasound delivered through a mist of saline to wounds in mice with diabetes mellitus. J Wound Care. 2004;13(5):1-6.
  9. Yao M, Hasturk H, Kantarci A, et al. A pilot study evaluating noncontact low frequency ultrasound and underlying molecular mechanism on diabetic foot ulcers. Int Wound J. 2014;11(6):586-593.