[The National Research Foundation of Korea]
SEOUL -- South Korean scientists have developed a medical patch using organic light emitting diodes (OLED) that could heal wounds fast by stimulating biochemical skin reaction.
The OLED medical patch has been jointly developed by researchers from the state-run Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. The researchers said that if the strength of emitted light is controlled, the OLED patch can be used to treat skin cancer, dementia and depression.
Medical devices using LED are bulky and create too much heat, increasing the risk of low-temperature burns. Because of such demerits, they are used like a fixed lamp without being adhered to the skin. The OLED patch is just about one millimeter thin and can be applied to anywhere.
The researchers witnessed a 58 percent increase in cell multiplication and a 46 percent increase in cellular migration, compared to a non-treated wound. Blue light is generally used to kill bacteria while red light speeds up healing and stimulates collagen production.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com