Wireless smart bandage packs tech to promote tissue repair

The researchers at Stanford University said their device promotes faster closure of wounds, increases new blood flow to injured tissue, and enhances skin recovery by significantly reducing scar formation. Their findings have been published in Nature Biotechnology.

The smart bandage is composed of wireless circuitry that uses impedance/temperature sensors to monitor the progression of wound healing. If the wound is less healed or an infection is detected, the sensors inform a central processing unit to apply more electrical stimulation across the wound to accelerate tissue closure and reduce infection. The researchers were able to track the sensor data wirelessly in real time on a smart phone.

The electronic layer, including a microcontroller unit (MCU), radio antenna, memory, electrical stimulator, biosensors, and other components, is 100 microns thick. The circuitry is placed atop an engineered hydrogel that is integrated to deliver healing electrical stimulation to the injured tissue and collect real-time biosensor data.