Vomaris Innovations
An Electrifying Solution for Wound care

Management of infected and chronic wounds is a significant and growing global challenge that is very costly, both economically and in terms of human suffering. In the United States alone there are over 1.5 million patients affected every year by surgical site infections and over 6.7 million patients treated for chronic wounds (such as pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and venous stasis ulcers), with associated treatment costs close to fifty billion dollars. Factors contributing to this rise include the aging population, and increasing prevalence of conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and vascular disease.

Compounding these risk factors is the rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the presence of biofilms. Biofilm is a shield that bacteria form to protect themselves from antibiotic and immune system attack. It is increasingly recognized as a culprit in wound infection, antibiotic resistance and delayed wound healing. Almost 80 percent of infected and chronic wounds are believed to contain bacteria in biofilm form!
While the Advanced Wound Care Market is aimed at providing solutions to prevent and treat wound infection and improve healing rates, there are still problems that have to be overcome. Some of which include the ability to kill bacteria and attack biofilm without the use of antibiotics or high-volume silver ion release, while simultaneously improving healing. Currently, silver ion-based wound dressings are the most widely used antimicrobial treatment option available. While effective against bacteria, silver dressings are not considered effective against biofilm without added chemicals, and in high volumes, silver ions are considered toxic to cells. This is precisely where Arizona-based Vomaris Innovations comes in; they are using electricity to advance wound healing and tackle biofilm head-on, without the release of a high volume of silver ions or added chemicals.

Founded in 2004, Vomaris specializes in bioelectric technology and develops innovative solutions for the wound care market. “We believe the future of infection control and wound healing is electric and our products use electricity as our primary mode of action,” says Michael Nagel, president and CEO of Vomaris. The company’s patented one-of-a-kind bioelectric platform, V.Dox™ Technology, is a trailblazing achievement in wound care.

We believe the future of infection control and wound healing is electric, and we use electricity as our primary mode of action

The company has developed Procellera® Antimicrobial Wound Dressings, powered by V.Dox Technology, the world’s first wound dressing solution with embedded microcell batteries at its surface that generates electricity designed to mimic the skin’s natural healing process and reduce the risk of infection.

Elaborating further, Nagel notes, throughout the skin, there are naturally-occurring electric fields that creates surface energy potential known as TEP (transepithelial potential). When skin is wounded, a change in this electrical activity occurs. Called the ‘current of injury’, this ‘current’ activates cell migration and re-epithelialization to drive healing. Published research has demonstrated that V.Dox Technology can accelerate the rate of cell migration and epithelialization, thereby supporting the skin’s physiologic healing process. Additional research found that V.Dox Technology effectively kills bacteria without high volume silver ion release, and a sentinel study published in the Annals of Surgery found that V.Dox Technology was able to prevent biofilm from forming as well as disrupt existing biofilm infection without added chemicals. “We are the first company to create a bioelectric wound dressing with moisture-activated microcell batteries designed to help clinicians fight infection and improve healing,” adds Nagel. So far, the company has sold over 800,000 devices worldwide. On a commercial level Vomaris is selling products through distribution partners, including the globally-renowned orthopedic surgery and sports medicine company, Arthrex, Inc. Outside the United States they are selling in several countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.

To support Vomaris’ mission to develop evidence-based patient-focused solutions for a variety of wound care applications, the company is participating in several randomized clinical trials. These include a burn wound trial conducted with funding from the U.S. Department of Defense, and trials on pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, and other chronic skin conditions.

Discussing the roadmap, Nagel mentions, “The ongoing results shown by V.Dox Technology continue to bolster confidence in our wound care solutions as we seek partners to expand our global reach.”