Smart Bandage Sensor Measurements for Detecting and Treating Infection

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Smart Bandage used on diabetic foot ulcers

Dr. Geoffrey Gurtner of the University of Arizona-
Tucson is working on a smart bandage with
engineers at Stanford University that uses
electrical stimulation and biosensors. PHOTO:
FLEUR MATURO

‘Smart’ bandages based on multimodal wearable devices could enable real-time physiological monitoring and active intervention to promote healing of chronic wounds. However, there has been limited development in incorporation of both sensors and stimulators for the current smart bandage technologies. 

Based off our recent work (https://www.wsj.com/tech/biotech/smart-bandages-wound-healing-32a2b802), we are now recruiting patients to take weekly skin sensor measurements of their chronic wounds to determine how these sensors may be utilized to sense and predict wound healing and infection. These measurements will be made with hand-held, commercially available sensors as well as our new "smart bandage" all-in-one device.