Chronic wounds are wounds that do not heal quickly. They bleed frequently, often develop into infections and can turn into ulcers if they are not treated properly.
Treating chronic wounds is a tremendous burden for health care providers and systems. Patients with these wounds often have to be admitted to hospitals. Once admitted, nurses and doctors need to conduct a number of tests, dress the wounds, and monitor the wounds throughout the day. In addition, patients often have to wear a number of medical devices that are bulky and uncomfortable.
In the United States and Europe, over nine million people are affected each year by chronic wounds and this costs over US$ 39 billion.
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