Healing sensor

Bioengineers at the Strathclyde Institute for Medical Devices have pioneered a system that allows doctors and nurses to check the conditions under a dressing without having to remove it.

Instead, a tiny sensor attached to the gauze monitors whether the wound is moist - the optimum environment for healing - or too dry or wet to heal properly.

'The system is designed to take the guess work out of wound care. Currently, if a doctor or nurse wants to check the progress of a wound, they have to remove the dressing - a process which can disturb the wound and be detrimental to the healing process. It can also lead to unnecessary pain or discomfort for the patient,' said Prof Patricia Connolly, director of the Institute.

'The monitor means dressings aren't changed unless they need to be, allowing wounds to heal as quickly as possible and enabling the patient to get on with life. The system also leads to less pressure on valuable resources - both in terms of time and material,' she added.