Scientists from California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have developed a new smart bandage that monitors and medicates chronic wounds.

The new bandage consists of flexible, stretchy polymer featuring embedded electronic chips, biosensors and a medication layer.

Source: Caltech

Unlike traditional bandages that feature layers of absorbent material, the smart bandage monitors uric acid levels and issues an alert if the pH or temperature of the wound changes. The bandage also detects if the wound is inflamed or infected, according to its developers.

Further, the bandage wirelessly transmits data from the wound to associated devices such as a computer; antibiotics and other medications are delivered from the bandage directly to the wound to treat both inflammation and infection; and the smart bandage issues a low-voltage electrical current to the wound site to regrow tissue and encourage faster healing.

"We have shown this proof of concept in small animal models, but down the road, we would like to increase the stability of the device but also to test it on larger chronic wounds because the wound parameters and microenvironment may vary from site to site," the researcher explained.

The bandage is detailed in the article, "A stretchable wireless wearable bioelectronic system for multiplexed monitoring and combination treatment of infected chronic wounds," which appears in the journal Science Advances.