MolecuLight, a global pioneer in point-of-care fluorescence imaging for wound care, and its Taiwanese distributor, Healtdeva Company, congratulated researchers at Shuang-Ho Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, on their publication of ground-breaking findings using MolecuLight. The clinical study demonstrates the transformative impact of MolecuLight’s device on the management of deep sternal wound infections (DSWI), showcasing significantly improved patient outcomes alongside cost savings and reduced burden on the healthcare system.
The pivotal study, titled: ‘Effects of adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy and real-time fluorescent imaging on deep sternal wound infection: a retrospective study’, published in the Journal of Wound Care (2025), revealed that incorporating MolecuLight’s real-time fluorescence imaging into the treatment protocol for DSWI led to faster infection resolution, a dramatic reduction in antibiotic use and associated costs, shorter and less intensive hospital stays, and significantly lower rates of dangerous complications, including reinfection and osteomyelitis, when contrasted with standard care employing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
Key findings that underscore the power of MolecuLight imaging:
- Significantly improved infection control: MolecuLight-guided treatment increased the likelihood of white blood cell counts returning to normal within 7 days by 26-fold (72.7% versus 9.1%) and C-reactive protein levels normalising within 14 days by 7-fold (78.8% versus 31.8%) in comparison to HBOT.
- Reduced antibiotic use and costs: The MolecuLight group required antibiotics for a significantly shorter duration (22 days vs. 29.5 days), leading to nearly two-thirds lower antibiotic costs (US$573.57 versus US$1,643.78).
- Faster healing and reduced burden on healthcare systems: Patients treated with MolecuLight experienced ICU stays that were 70% shorter (3 days vs. 10 days) and achieved complete wound healing 20% faster (40 days vs. 50 days).
- Significantly lower risk of complications: The use of MolecuLight imaging was associated with an 82% lower likelihood of in-hospital wound reinfection and an 86% lower risk of recurrent osteomyelitis — critical factors in long-term patient well-being and reduced healthcare expenditure.
- Enhanced debridement efficacy: The study highlights MolecuLight’s ability to guide more precise and effective debridement — a cornerstones of successful wound management and infection control.
“This study demonstrates that MolecuLight delivers tangible benefits in clinical wound management and also serves as a valuable teaching tool in our daily practice. The ability to visualise bacterial presence in real time allows us to more effectively guide younger physicians in understanding critical principles of infection control and intraoperative wound assessment. Moving forward, we intend to continue using this technology to enhance clinical decision-making and overall patient care,” said study author Dr Shun-Cheng Chang, from Shuang-Ho Hospital.
“We are honoured to introduce MolecuLight’s advanced real-time fluorescence imaging technology to Taiwan,” remarked Wei-Pin Hsieh, Chief Executive Officer of Healtdeva Company. “This innovation provides clinicians with a more efficient and accurate tool for assessing infections, opening up new diagnostic perspectives in the management of complex wounds and post-operative care. We firmly believe that this technology will have a profound impact on improving patient outcomes and reducing overall healthcare costs.”
This study underscores the growing recognition of MolecuLight’s significant utility beyond chronic wound care and its increasing adoption in critical surgical applications. The company’s advanced imaging system, with its unique ability to visualise bacterial presence in real time and guide targeted interventions, is gaining traction among surgeons looking to optimise outcomes and better manage post-operative complications in various surgical procedures, including the management of deep sternal wound infections (DSWI).
“We wish to commend the researchers for their excellent work on this study,” said Anil Amlani, Chief Executive Officer of MolecuLight. “These compelling results further validate the significant clinical and economic value of MolecuLight’s technology, not only in chronic wound care but also in critical surgical applications. This study, along with our growing adoption in surgical settings, reflects the increasing recognition of our ability to provide critical, real-time information that empowers clinicians to make better decisions at the point of care, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of post-operative complications. We are proud to partner with Healtdeva Company to bring these benefits to patients in Taiwan.”
