This smart wound bandage is being developed by a team of researchers lead by Associate Professor Wei Gao at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) as a way to manage chronic wounds.
The biocompatible polymer substrate is flexible and stretchy, and could utilize a series of electrodes to monitor wounds on a continuous basis. This would work with a battery, temperature sensor and Bluetooth chip to relay information to the person's smartphone or other connected device. The bandage could be scaled up to suit larger areas and could even help with keeping bad bacteria at bay.
Gao commented on the prototype smart wound bandage saying, "We have showed 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
Connected Monitoring Bandages
This Smart Wound Bandage Prototype Monitors for Infection
Trend Themes
1. Smart Wound Bandages - The development of smart wound bandages with continuous monitoring capabilities using electrodes and connected devices could disrupt the wound care industry
2. Biocompatible Polymers - The use of flexible and stretchy biocompatible polymers in wound care technology could lead to innovative solutions and new products with improved performance
3. Internet of Things (iot) in Healthcare - The integration of IoT in healthcare through connected wound care devices and wearables represents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the healthcare industry
Industry Implications
1. Wound Care - The development of smart wound bandages with continuous monitoring capabilities could revolutionize the wound care industry
2. Medical Devices - The use of biocompatible polymers and IoT in healthcare presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the medical devices industry
3. Telemedicine - Connected wound care devices and wearables with IoT capabilities could lead to new opportunities and disruptive innovations in the telemedicine industry