# Electrochemical Therapy for Scar Treatments (Resubmission)

> **NIH NIH R43** · INCIPIAN, LLC · 2022 · $256,091

## Abstract

Project Summary
Hypertrophic scarring (HTS) leads to severe disfigurement and loss of function in deep partial thickness
burn injuries with occurrence following burn injuries ranging from 33 to 91%. HTS can occur with any
cutaneous injury and is associated with injuries that take longer than 2-3 weeks to heal and is
characterized by thickened, wide, and raised scars due to abnormally excessive collagen growth. If scars
are located near joints, they could lead to decreased mobility due to skin contractures. To address this
need, we are developing a low-cost electrochemical therapy for skin based on redox chemistry. By
producing acid/base within tissue with microneedle-electrodes, the ECT may soften the thickened
collagen tissues and low-grade cellular death to trigger the regeneration of normal rather than aberrant
collagen structure. If ECT is effective, its practical advantages are low-cost, simple use, and point of care
delivery with relatively low risks. We hypothesize that the ECT can create ‘controlled’ injuries that remodel
damaged tissue/collagen and thus replace hypertrophic scars. The goal of our proposed work is to
establish the feasibility of ECT as a scar reduction tool. First, we will fabricate and optimize a custom
ECT control unit with capability of potential driven electrochemistry. Second, we will identify safe and
efficient dosimetry with ex vivo porcine specimens. Last, we will apply the safety dose range ECT to in
vivo hypertrophic scar model.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10483618
- **Project number:** 1R43GM142358-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** INCIPIAN, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Joon You
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $256,091
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-06-06 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10483618

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10483618, Electrochemical Therapy for Scar Treatments (Resubmission) (1R43GM142358-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10483618. Licensed CC0.

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