'GEKO' device for diabetic foot ulcer healing

Craig Payne · Aug 7, 2014

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This clinical trial was just registered:
ULCERS - Electrical Stimulation in Diabetic Foot Ulceration

The investigators hypothesise that use of a medical device, that increases blood flow to the foot, will speed up ulcer healing in symptomatic diabetes
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The device to be tested mimics the effect of walking by making the foot twitch- it increases blood flow to the limb and exercises the leg muscles. It is hypothesised that increasing blood flow to the limb, much as surgical revascularisation, will aid the legs ability to heal and fight infection. After training, it can be used by patients on themselves and is suitable for out-patient therapy.

The investigators wish to evaluate both the short- and longer-term effects of a neuromuscular stimulator on diabetic foot ulceration as a therapeutic intervention.
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The device is this: http://www.gekodevices.com

Powered by OnPulse™ technology, the non-invasive geko™ device triggers the body's built in mechanisms to increase blood circulation which can help in a range of conditions. Small electrical impulses gently stimulate the common peroneal nerve behind the knee which in turn activates the muscle pumps of the lower leg that return blood towards the heart. In this way, neuromuscular stimulation in the lower limb emulates the process normally achieved by walking but without the patient having to move or exert energy and without discomfort.

A simple, self-adhesive device that is applied to the back of each knee, the disposable, one-size-fits-all geko™ device is designed to avoid the need for more complex procedures.
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The proposed mechanism is similar to the Circulation Booster ... at least Geko are doing the right thing and registering a clinical trial.

I still think going for a walk around the block will also activate those muscles and do more for the circulation as the "static" muscles stimulation does not improve arterial supply and can only facilitate venous return and probably help oedema... will wait for more evidence

NewsBot · Mar 4, 2015

Here is another clinical trial that was just registered on this device:
Wound Healing Process in Diabetic Neuropathy and Diabetic Neuroischemia (Geko)

Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of illness worldwide. Diabetes can affect nerves, skin and blood vessels. Diabetics with problems in their nerves can lose the sense of touch in their feet (called neuropathy) and so may unknowingly cause damage to the skin resulting in skin loss or an 'ulcer'. Diabetics also have difficulty healing any damaged tissues especially if they have diseased blood vessels causing a lack of blood to areas of the body including the feet (called ischaemia).
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Primary Outcome Measures:
Improvement in ulcer size at monthly intervals up to 12 months follow up. [ Time Frame: 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
The wound will be measured after the electrical stimulation produced by Geko device is applied.

Secondary Outcome Measures:
Proportion of wounds healed at monthly intervals up to 12 months followup [ Time Frame: 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Percentage of wounds healed after the electrical stimulation produced by Geko device is applied.
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Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of illness worldwide. Diabetes can affect nerves, skin and blood vessels. Diabetics with problems in their nerves can lose the sense of touch in their feet (called neuropathy) and so may unknowingly cause damage to the skin resulting in skin loss or an 'ulcer'. Diabetics also have difficulty healing any damaged tissues especially if they have diseased blood vessels causing a lack of blood to areas of the body including the feet (called ischaemia). Therefore diabetics have a greater chance of having an ulcer and a higher chance that it does not heal up. The loss of a protective skin barrier means that bacteria can enter the foot causing infections which can spread to bone and beyond. Ultimately this can result in gangrene, amputation or even death.

Stem or progenitor cells help repair and replace damage in the body. Blood vessels are key to this repair. Recent research has suggested that special progenitor cells found in the blood may be responsible. They are called Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) and seem to be in fewer numbers and are less effective at repair in diabetics.

Current treatments for diabetic wounds are not always successful and so we need more research to look at new treatments. One possibility is to use electrical stimulation of nerves in the leg. Research studies have shown this may improve blood circulation and healing of wounds. This research will assess EPCs to see if they are linked to ulcer healing in diabetic patients with neuropathy only or with ischaemia as well. Furthermore we wish to investigate whether electrical stimulation can affect progenitor cells and wound healing in these patients. The longterm goal of this research is to help diabetic patients improve their quality of life by reducing woundrelated complications
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NewsBot · Sep 23, 2016

Yet another clinical trial registered;
Intermittent Pneumatic Compression of the Foot vs Geko Plus R-2 Neuromuscular Electrostimulation Device in Venous Leg Ulcer Patients

Chronic venous leg ulcers (VLU) are painful, debilitating wounds that place a significant burden on the patient, their family, and healthcare resources. Treating VLU can present a significant challenge to clinicians, who currently have a limited range of treatments at their disposal. The mainstay of treatment is compression bandaging, ambulation and elevation at rest. In addition to the aforementioned, intermittent pneumatic compression has also been utilised1. When applied to the leg or foot intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices intermittently inflate and deflate to increase venous return. These devices can be uncomfortable to wear, and compliance can be inhibited because of size, weight and external power source that limit the patient's mobility. In patients who cannot walk, or in those who are unable to tolerate compression bandaging, ulcers may deteriorate and never heal. Accordingly, there is a need for novel, alternative devices or strategies that can be used to complement or replace compression bandage therapy.
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NewsBot · Oct 23, 2017

Yet another trial "just registered":
Lower Limb Blood Flow Geko vs Foot Pump

The aim of this pilot study was to assess venous flow parameters in patients following total hip arthroplasty, comparing an intermittent pneumatic compression foot device with a portable neuromuscular electrostimulator device. Assessments were performed in a single sitting before hospital discharge, between days 1 to 4 post operatively. The total duration of participation for each patient who completed the study was approximately 2.5 hours.
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NewsBot · Nov 14, 2018

Neuromuscular electrostimulation on lower limb wounds.
Jones NJ et al
Br J Nurs. 2018 Nov 8;27(20):S16-S21. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2018.27.Sup20.S16.

The geko™ is a disposable neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) device intended to increase blood circulation and promote wound healing in a range of lower limb conditions. The purpose of this case series was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the geko device on wound healing outcomes over an 8-week period. Thirty patients with non-healing wounds (≥ 12-week duration) of either venous leg ulceration (VLU), mixed leg ulceration (MLU) or diabetic foot ulceration aetiology were recruited from a local outpatient wound clinic in the South Wales area. Over the 8 weeks 2 participants (8%) achieved complete re-epithelialisation between baseline and endpoint. Mean wound surface area decreased (7.6 cm2) and there was an increase of 21% in the mean percentage of granulation tissue in the wound bed. Pain levels reduced in 52% of patients who completed the study, but the extent of oedema reduction was difficult to establish given that 76% of the cohort were treated with a form of compression as part of standard care. The findings support the use of the therapy in patients with painful VLUs and MLUs, but further research needs to be conducted to establish the generalisability of the findings to the wider population of patients living with chronic wounds of differing aetiology in the lower limb.
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NewsBot · Jun 15, 2021

This clinical trial was just registered:
Foot and Ankle Post-operative Oedema Management Using Geko™

The multicentre randomised geko™ Foot and Ankle Trial will prospectively and systematically collect clinical data on patients randomised, on a 1:1 basis, to either standard care or standard care plus geko™ therapy to assess oedema management and patient outcomes during a follow-up period of up to three months post-surgery.
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Craig Payne Moderator

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

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