Researchers in the United States have developed a new stretchable wireless bioelectronic system that can be used to monitor chronically infected wounds and promote healing through electrical stimulation of the wound site and medical treatment. Researchers have shown that the device can easily adhere to the skin and speed wound healing in diabetic mice.
Smart bandage for multiple monitoring and combined treatment of infected wounds
Current treatments for chronic wounds can be invasive, as bacterial infections are common and prevent the original healing, sometimes leading to serious illness and death. Although electrical stimulation has been reported to speed wound healing, existing devices are bulky and impractical. Recent advances in bioelectronics have made it possible to treat chronic wounds with flexible, wearable biosensors that can monitor wounds by physiological markers such as pH, temperature or glucose, but it is unclear whether these devices will be effective in practice.
The research team recently designed a wireless bioelectronic patch made from a flexible printed circuit board that can be custom-designed to monitor several physiological biomarkers for the healing process and the onset of infection, control drug delivery through electroactive hydrogels, and apply voltage through electrical stimulation to promote healing at the wound site. The device was tested on free-moving diabetic mice and showed strong adhesion, stretchability and flexibility, which accelerated wound healing within 25 days. The researchers conclude that a custom-designed fully integrated wearable patch could serve as a more effective, fully controllable, and easy-to-implement platform for personalized monitoring and treatment of chronic wounds with minimal side effects.
We are all familiar with Band-Aids, which fit the skin and are light and soft. Combined with the flexible electronic technology in the ascendant, Band-Aids can achieve a "magnificent upgrade" and become a tall flexible electronic intelligent wearable product. Such products are not limited to monitoring and healing wounds, but can also be used to monitor blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate, sleep quality and other health indicators. It is worth pointing out that many flexible electronic products are still in the laboratory stage and need to be put into practice and mass production.
