Lesions caused by surgery or metabolic disorders can take a long time to heal, beyond the skin’s capacity to regenerate. These chronic wounds often result in persistent infections, which in severe cases can lead to amputations. A group of engineers at Tufts University, USA, has developed a prototype smart dressing that monitors the wound and releases precise doses of antibiotics when needed, facilitating the regeneration of damaged tissue. The dressing monitors the healing process by comparing the temperature (indicating the degree of inflammation) and acidity (pH) of the damaged tissue with the healthy tissue surrounding it. Led by Sameer Sonkusale, a professor of electrical engineering and computing, the research team attached sensors to a flexible transparent bandage, less than 3 millimeters thick. The sensors in the dressing send temperature and acidity information to a microprocessor, which automatically releases antibiotics contained in hydrogel capsules (Small, July 6). The device has so far only been tested on in vitro tissue models. Animal testing is underway in an effort to identify clinical advantages over traditional dressings.
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A high-tech dressing for chronic wounds
Prototype smart dressing that monitors the wound healing process
Sameer Sonkusale/Nano Lab/Universidade Tufts
