Oculus researchers and scientists are working to discover and develop new ways to treat various wounds and diseases with the Microcyn Technology while improving wellness and quality of life across a range of therapeutic areas. Potential applications which could potentially be licensed to a partner include:

Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Diabetic foot ulcers form due to a combination of factors, such as lack of feeling in the foot, poor circulation, foot deformities, irritation (such as friction or pressure), and trauma, as well as duration of diabetes. Patients who have diabetes for many years can develop neuropathy, a reduced or complete lack of feeling in the feet due to nerve damage caused by elevated blood glucose levels over time. The nerve damage often can occur without pain and one may not even be aware of the problem. Foot ulcers in patients with diabetes should be treated for several reasons such as, reducing the risk of infection and amputation, improving function and quality of life, and reducing longer-term health care costs. Microcyn has demonstrated in a 218-patient Italian study to be safe and effective in reducing infection and accelerating wound healing.  Systemic antibiotics are oftentimes administered, but due to the lack of blood flow to the foot, antibiotics cannot impact the infection at the wound site.

Venous Stasis Ulcers
Varicose veins affect up to 20% of men and 30% of women at sometime in their lives. They appear as swollen or twisted veins and are most commonly visible beneath the skin on the legs. For most people they are mainly a cosmetic problem. For others, they can cause a variety of symptoms and medical complications including varicose vein ulcers.  These are typically caused by a minor wound, usually around the shin or ankle that fails to heal thereby causing an ulcer, which frequently becomes infected. If the infection is not adequately addressed, these ulcers can become chronic afflicting victims for years, even decades.

Burns
Burns are exceedingly challenging due to the high risk of infection since the skin is no longer a barrier to bacteria. As well, skin grafts offer potential for a number of complications. A graft "takes" or is successful when new blood vessels and tissue form in the injured area. Sometimes, skin grafts do not take because of early complications such as infection, which is the most common cause of graft failure. Based upon preliminary results from various studies, when patients are treated with Microcyn Technology in a comprehensive treatment program, healing of the burns is accelerated, the levels of pain and infection reduced and the patient hospital stay, on average, is reduced with significant cost savings per patient.

Pressure Sores
A pressure ulcer is an area of skin that breaks down when a person stays in one position for too long without shifting their weight. This often happens if a patient uses a wheelchair or is bedridden, even for a short period of time (for example, after surgery or an injury). The constant pressure against the skin reduces the blood supply to that area, and the affected tissue dies. A pressure ulcer starts as reddened skin but gets progressively worse, forming a blister, then an open sore, and finally a crater. Many times these ulcers become infected and can spread to the rest of the body in a systemic infection that can be fatal.
           
Surgical and Traumatic Wounds
In the United States alone, there are over 100,000 surgeries performed daily. Surgical and trauma wounds are, by far, the most common types of wounds addressed in the wound care area. There are two main potential complications in these wounds--dehiscence and infection. Dehiscence can range from splitting open of the skin layers to complete dehiscence of the muscle and fascia, exposing internal organs. Occasionally, the skin layers remain intact, but deeper layers break down resulting in an incisional hernia. Wound infection is characterised by redness, pain, heat and swelling of the wound and periwound area. These signs are also seen in the normal inflammatory response, but usually decrease after the first few days. Persistent inflammation oftentimes indicates infection.

Dental Infections
Dental infections involving the teeth or associated tissues are caused by oral pathogens.  These infections can be of dental origin or from other sources. Those of dental origin usually originate from progressive dental caries or extensive periodontal disease. Pathogens can also be introduced deeper into the oral tissues by the trauma caused by dental procedures, such as the contamination of dental surgical sites (tooth extraction) and needle tracks during local anesthetic administration. Infection can also result from gingivitis and periodontitis.

Sinusitis
Acute bacterial sinusitis is an infection of the sinus cavities caused by bacteria. It usually is preceded by a cold, allergy attack, or irritation by environmental pollutants. Sinusitis means sinuses are infected or inflamed. Sinuses are hollow air spaces within the bones surrounding the nose. They produce mucus, which drains into the nose. If the nose is swollen, this can block the sinuses and cause pain and infection. Sinusitis can be acute, lasting for less than four weeks, or chronic, lasting much longer. Acute sinusitis often starts as a cold, which then turns into a bacterial infection. Allergies, pollutants, nasal problems and certain diseases can also cause sinusitis. Treatments include antibiotics, decongestants and pain relievers.           

Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 70,000 children and adults worldwide. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. Although there is no cure for cystic fibrosis, treatments have improved greatly in recent years.

Eye Infections
Eyes can get infections from bacteria, fungi or viruses and can occur in different parts of the eye and can affect just one eye or both. Two common eye infections are conjunctivitis - also known as pink eye. Conjunctivitis is often due to an infection. Children frequently get it, and it is very contagious. A stye or bump on the eyelid happens when bacteria from the skin gets into the hair follicle of an eyelash. Symptoms of eye infections may include redness, itching, swelling, discharge, pain, or problems with vision. Treatment depends on the cause of the infection and may include compresses, eye drops, creams or antibiotics.

Necrotizing Fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as “flesh-eating bacteria,” is a rare but highly publicized infection of the deeper layers of skin and subcutaneous tissues, easily spreading across the fascial plane within the subcutaneous tissue. Many types of bacteria can cause necrotizing fasciitis. The infection begins locally, at a site of trauma, which may be severe (such as the result of surgery), minor, or even non-apparent. Patients with necrotizing fasciitis typically have a fever and appear very ill. More severe cases progress within hours, and the mortality rate is high, about 30%. Even with medical assistance, antibiotics take a great deal of time to react to the bacteria, allowing the infection to progress to a more serious state.