(657f) In Vivo Monitoring of Tissue Mechanical Properties during Wound Healing

Understanding and control of the wound healing process is physiologically important for a number of diseases and for the continued development of functioning, long-term implantable sensors. We have developed a rodent model for monitoring the wound healing process using an in vivo piezosensing technique. In a 20-week study, features of the impedance spectra were found to correlate well with the formation of a compact layer of collagen around the implant. Rats fed a diet of COX-2 inhibitors (Celebrex) were compared to controls to show a marked reduction in organized collagen and a commensurate change in the impedance spectra. The combination of histology and impedance measurements in this animal model can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of new therapies to control wound healing.