Overview - Podiatry

We’re so used to treating infections with pills, potions, lotions and injections, it’s easy to forget that micro-organisms can often more effectively be killed by ‘physical’ methods such as ultra-violet light, and – much more safely – by bombarding them with a concentrated stream of electrically-charged air particles. This is the method used by the Dentron Biogun family of devices to treat a wide variety of conditions from athlete’s foot to verrucae, by way of fungal nails and ulcers. The method is completely safe, painless and free from side-effects. Dosage control is automatic, and it is impossible to administer an overdose. And Biogun technology even kills the ‘superbug’ MRSA.

 

In principle, any infection on a conductive surface such as skin is suitable for Biogun treatment, but it is used specifically in podiatry for:

·      verrucae

·      athlete’s foot

·      infected leg ulcers

·      infected onychocryptosis

·      fungal nail infections

·      diabetic foot ulcers

·      exudative venous ulcers

Superficial conditions like athlete’s foot require just one session; virus infections such as verrucae may need a longer course of treatment.

 

The Biogun produces a concentrated stream of gaseous anions, of which the principal biologically-active species is the superoxide radical anion (O₂.^-). This acts as a nucleophile on the phospholipid bilayer of microbial cells, causing a de-esterification of the fatty acids and consequent lysis.

 

The Biogun is simplicity itself to use. Treatment is completely non-contact: all the patient normally feels is a gentle, cooling breeze. An emitter is inserted into the handpiece and pointed at the surface to be treated from a distance of about 6 mm (¼ inch). Practitioner and patient wear electrode pads. Built-in control circuitry makes sure the correct dose is always administered automatically, and an audio-visual proximity detector indicates when a suitable surface is within range. Another audible signal tracks the passage of time.

 

Viability tests on cultured human keratinocytes, microscopic examination of treated human skin and comet assays on buccal mucosa cells treated in vivo reveal no adverse effects, even over exposure periods much longer than those used in practice.

 

In laboratory tests and clinical trials, the Biogun has killed over 40 representative types of micro-organisms. No resistant organisms have been found, and it is theoretically improbable that resistance could ever develop. In a pilot study at Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK, the Biogun eradicated the ‘superbug’ MRSA from the majority of small diabetic foot ulcers with just one treatment.

 

The Biogun distinguishes between virally-invaded cells and normal skin cells and is therefore effective against verrucae. It produces even more rapid results in synergy with a keratolytic.

 

The only consumables are the emitters, which can be re-used until the wear gauge built in to each one indicates that it has come to the end of its useful life, and the electrode pads. Electricity consumption is negligible.

 

After using every form of treatment for verrucae over the last 38 years, the Biogun is my first and only choice for treating these troublesome lesions. C Vernon, Chiropodist, Sawbridgeworth.

 

I have successfully treated many minor infections – also fungal infections (athlete's foot), leg ulcers and one case of gangrene, all with great success. I have recorded no failures.

M Paynton, Chiropodist, Banbury.

 

We have demonstrated that using the Dentron Biogun it is possible to eradicate MRSA colonisation in uninfected diabetic foot ulcers in the majority of patients after only 2 courses of treatment.

Dr Rayaz Malik, MB.ChB, PhD, MRCP, Senior Lecturer and Consultant Physician, Academic Department of Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary

 

Kellogg EW, Yost MG, Barthakur N, Kreuger AP. Superoxide involvement in the bactericidal effects of negative air ions on Staphylococcus albus. Nature 1979;281:400-401

Cousins D, Copus J, Wilson M. Microbicidal effects of negative air ions. J Dent Res 1991;70:709,315

Vernon C. Long term experience of the Dentron Biogun in Verruca pedis, mosaic verrucae and hand warts. J Pod Med 2000;65:4,8

Dang CN, Prasad YDM, Boulton AJM, Malik R. The Biogun: a novel way of eradicating MRSA colonization in diabetic foot ulcers. Manchester Royal Infirmary report for SMARTCymru 2003.

Keen AP. An investigation into the effectiveness of the Dentron Biogun in killing strains of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a controlled laboratory environment. Public Health Laboratory Service report for SMARTCymru 2003.