Patients
Patients
What is a Chronic Wound?
Chronic ulcerations, be they arterial, venous, pressure or diabetic all have one thing in common; there is a change in the metabolism of the skin cells around the wound that alters the way that the tissue would normally function.
This change could be a decrease in blood inflow, or outflow, a sensory change, an autonomic neurological change, or an overall nutritional change. When coupled with an external trauma, be it an orthopedic pressure, or an injury, a wound is formed and the underlying changes cause the wound not to heal and to become chronic.
There are a number of these changes that are most interesting and are germane to how the BRH system treats wounds, and is in fact the secret as to why the system is most successful.
How does the BRH work?
The BRH device works by combining two existing technologies; Ultrasound and Electric Field Stimulation. There are a few important points that we must first understand in order to grasp how the BRH truly works. The BRH does not simply put Ultrasound next to an electric field. Both modalities are modulated repeatedly during the treatment. That means that during the length of the treatment the patient is receiving varying types and intensities of both Electric Stimulation and Ultrasound.
The system also features a state of the art user friendly interface and stores clinical data of thousands of patients on an individual patient’s filing system and data base.
FAQs
Will the treatment hurt?
No. The treatment is performed in such a way in order to assure the least discomfort while assuring maximum effectiveness.
What will I feel during the treatment?
During the treatment, you will feel a slight tingling sensation.
How long does a treatment last?
Each treatment takes approximately 30 minutes including the time required to remove the bandage.
How many treatments will I need?
This depends on the size and type of wound, and your natural healing characteristics. Therefore it is hard to determine in advance.
When will I start to see improvement?
Improvement is based on several variables and can occur in several ways: -reduced area of the wound; -reduced wound pain; or -a change in the amount and type of secretions from the wound. There may even be an increase in the amount of secretions since this is part of the healing process. Make sure you mention the change when you come to the clinic for your next treatment.
Can I be active after the treatment?
Yes. You can return to your regular activities immediately as per your physician’s orders.
Can I perform the treatment myself at home?
No. The BRH System must be operated by a trained professional in a medical clinic.
Patient Information
BRH-A2 Product Description
The BRH-A2 system is designed to ease the pain and accelerate the healing process of chronic wounds such as as Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU), Venous Leg Ulcers (VLU), Ischemic ulcers and pressure ulcers.
The BRH-A2 system combines two proven medical technologies: Ultrasound and Electric Field Stimulation in a coordinated manner. The combination (ultrasound + electric fields) is varied over the course of the treatment (frequency + intensity) in order to treat chronic wounds most effectively.
BRH Treatment Protocol
The BRH-A2 system uses low intensity electric currents and 1& 3MHZ ultrasound frequencies.
The actual treatment is 24 minutes long, however, you can expect that the whole procedure may take up to 30-40 minutes including the time it takes to remove all bandaging and then redress the wound.
The 24-minute treatment consists of 2 minutes of applied electric fields, followed by 20 minutes of electric fields combined with Ultrasound treatment. This is followed by 2 minutes of electric fields only.
4 treatments over a period of 2-4 weeks are required in order to assess suitability of the BRH System for effective treatment of the ulcer.
What you should expect during the treatment
Each ulcer responds differently to the treatment, some may respond quickly and will have a quick closure rate, and others may need several treatments before feeling or seeing any difference. Since each person reacts differently to the treatment, some patients may feel an increase in pain after several treatments, followed by increased pain relief. Other patients may experience immediate relief after only a few initial treatments.
There are no side effects and immediately post treatment, you may resume regular activity.
Some patients may feel a tingling sensation from the electric currents for longer than the treatment itself, but shortly afterwards, the sensation will cease.
Some patients may feel some warmth during the treatment, when warmth is felt – the system’s operator should be notified.
Treatment Duration
Variables which may affect the number of procedures required before complete closure of the wound includes:
- Amount of time the ulcer existed pre-treatment
- Size of the ulcer
- Cause of the ulcer formation
- Patient’s general health condition
Post-treatment Information
In 70% of cases treated with the BRH system, results have included reduced ulcer size, wound drainage, and reduced pain. However, each case depends on many variables. In these cases, please note the following:
- An ulcer might get larger before starting to close.
- An affected limb may have no drainage at first, and drainage will begin after a few treatments.