Cellstic: A device for wound healing studies in man. Description of the method

CELLSTIC is a miniature wound drain composed of a thin silicone rubber tube and a pressed rectangular stick of viscose cellulose sponge (VCS) placed inside the inner end of the tube. When moistened and placed between wound edges two sides of the sponge expand in opposite directions leaving two free channels between the remaining sides and the tube wall for the flow of wound exudate. Most cells in the exudate become attached to the sponge, where they may further invade, multiply and be transformed. The first human fibroblasts in the CELLSTIC sponge are usually seen three or four days after implantation. CELLSTIC does not disturb normal wound healing in any way even in newborn babies, as has been proved in 155 pediatric surgical patients. As well as being a testing device for human connective tissue regeneration in general, CELLSTIC may also be used to control the local effects of various medicines and radiotherapy on human wound healing.