In May 2023, Gurtner and colleagues at Stanford University published a paper in Nature Biotechnology describing their smart bandage. It includes a microcontroller unit, a radio antenna, biosensors, and an electrical stimulator all affixed to a rubbery, skin-like polymer (or hydrogel) about the thickness of a single coat of latex paint.
The bandage senses changes in temperature and electrical conductivity as the wound heals. And it gives electrical stimulation to accelerate healing. Animals treated with the bandage healed 25% faster, with 50% less scarring.
Electrical currents are already used for wound healing in clinical practice, Gurtner said. Because the stimulus is already approved and the cost to make the bandage could be low (as little as $10 to $50), he believes it could be ushered through the approval processes relatively quickly.
wound care is gaining momentum, lot of investment is going into the research wound care and dressing. It is estimated that at present 30 billion dollars are spent in USA for wound care. smart bandages can reduce the cost.
