Revolutionary 'Smart' Bandages Speed Up Wound Healing with Targeted Treatment.

Researchers at Caltech have developed a smart bandage that can monitor wounds and provide targeted treatment for chronic wounds. The bandage is made from a flexible and stretchy polymer containing embedded electronics and medication. The electronics allow the sensor to monitor for molecules like uric acid or lactate and conditions like pH level or temperature in the wound that may be indicative of inflammation or bacterial infection. The bandage can transmit the gathered data wirelessly to a nearby computer, tablet, or smartphone for review by the patient or a medical professional, deliver medication directly to the wound site, or apply a low-level electrical field to stimulate tissue growth resulting in faster healing.