A group of researchers working out of Harvard Medical School, MIT and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have developed a high-tech smart bandage that is capable of releasing medication over a period of time based on a pre-programmed schedule.
This smart bandage is constructed out of conductive fibers that heat up when the embedded microcontroller sends a voltage signal. When the fibers heat up, they heat up a gel that they are coated with, releasing them into the wearer's wound.
What's great about this smart bandage is that it can be controlled by a smartphone, making it possible for medication schedules to be entered into a phone so that manual oversight isn't necessary to ensure timely medication release.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Smart Bandages
- Creating smart bandages with conductive fibers can lead to new efficiencies through automated medication release.
- Wireless Medical Devices
- Developing wireless control of medical devices can lead to new levels of convenience for both patient and medical professionals.
- Connected Healthcare
- App-connected healthcare devices offer more opportunities for remote patient care and long-term health monitoring.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Medical Devices
- Smart bandages and other wireless medical devices offer new opportunities for medication management.
- Pharmaceuticals
- Smart bandages can offer more control over medication dosage and timing, improving patient outcomes.
- Mobile Apps
- App-controlled healthcare devices are becoming a growing trend in the technology sector, redefining the intersection of healthcare and tech.
