# App-Controlled Smart Bandages These Bandages Release Medication On a Predetermined Schedule By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2017-10-08 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/app-controlled-smart-bandage References: [newatlas](http://newatlas.com/smart-bandage/51644/) & [news.unl.edu](http://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/smart-bandage-could-promote-better-faster-healing/) A group of researchers working out of [Harvard Medical School](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/als-medical-technology), [MIT](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultrasonic-patch) and the [University of Nebraska-Lincoln](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/medical-implant) 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 73% | Activity: 83% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI-Enabled Smart Bandages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-smart-bandages.md) - [Infection-Detecting Wound Coverings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smartheal-sensor.md) - [AI-Paired Wound Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/medicosbiotech.md) - [Wearable Drug Delivery Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-injector.md) - [Color-Changing Wound Dressings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colorchanging-wound-dressings.md) - [Scar Tissue-Evading Implants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/medical-implant.md) - [Medication-Storing Health Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/medbot-smartwatch-concept.md) - [Waterproof Color-Changing Bandages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drysee-bandages.md) - [Healing Transparent Skin Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/psoriasis-prescription-patches.md)