Smart dressings with nanosensors detect wound infection

Embedding nanosensors into the fibers of the bandage, Associate Professor Daniel Roxbury and former graduate student Mohammad Moein Safai

The University of Rhode Island has created a continuous, non-invasive way to detect and monitor wound infection. The smart bandages use single-walled carbon nanotubes.

The smart bandage will be controlled by a miniaturea wearable device that will wirelessly (optically) detect the signal from the carbon nanotubes in the dressing. The signal can then be transmitted to a device (such as a smartphone) that automatically alerts the patient or healthcare provider of an infection.

Scientists hope the device will helpDiagnose the infection at an early stage, and as a result, the patient will require fewer antibiotics. In addition, the study authors expect that smart bandages will prevent such drastic measures as amputation of a limb. The development will be especially useful for people with diabetes, where treatment of chronic wounds is already “part of the routine,” the scientists note.

The technology behind the smart headband is described in detail in an article published inAdvanced Functional Materials.

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