The smart way to make smart bandages
Summary: Purdue University engineers have introduced a scalable method to produce smart bandages using roll-to-roll printing technology. These bandages integrate colorimetric sensors that monitor wound conditions such as pH, temperature, and moisture, offering continuous, noninvasive infection detection. In preclinical testing, the bandages distinguished between healthy and infected wounds, positioning them as a promising tool for affordable and practical clinical use.
Key Highlights:
- Scalable manufacturing: Roll-to-roll printing directly applies sensor inks onto fabric, enabling low-cost, mass production.
- Color-based sensing: Sensors visibly shift color in response to infection-related changes in temperature, pH, and humidity.
- Preclinical validation: In a 14-day mouse wound model, the smart bandages consistently tracked infection changes.
- Smartphone integration: Images of the bandages can be analyzed by a machine learning model to provide actionable insights for clinicians and patients.
- Future directions: Plans include expanding the sensor panel to monitor glucose and other biomarkers, with human trials anticipated.
Read full article at Purdue ME News
Keywords:
smart bandages,
roll-to-roll printing,
colorimetric sensors,
wound monitoring,
infection detection,
Purdue University