Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Harvard Medical School, and MIT have collaborated to create the world’s first “smart bandage”
Orange County, CA - October 9th, 2017 - Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Harvard Medical School, and MIT have collaborated to create the world’s first “smart bandage.” This bandage is composed of embedded fibers activated by a microcontroller the size of a postage stamp. Once activated, the fibers release preloaded substances to heal specific abrasions- from chronic wounds to battlefield injuries.
The bandage’s fibers are electrically conductive and are loaded with infection-fighting antibiotics, tissue-regenerating growth factors, painkillers, and other medications. To avoid skin irritation the fibers are also coated with a hydrogel for smooth seamless application. The team of researchers at the University of Nebraska, led by Ali Tamayol, assistant professor of mechanical and materials engineering at Nebraska, said that a single bandage can accommodate multiple medications tailored to a specific injury. Upon pairing with the wireless microcontroller, voltage is sent through the fiber to heat the exterior hydrogel, releasing the medical cargo to the skin’s surface. In addition to precise distribution of doses, the bandage can also deliver them on a schedule.
The technology in this bandage could be used to treat a multitude of injuries- from skin wounds to infected battlefield shrapnel wounds. "This is the first bandage that is capable of dose-dependent drug release," said Tamayol. “You can release multiple drugs with different release profiles. That's a big advantage in comparison with other systems. What we did here was come up with a strategy for building a bandage from the bottom up. This is a platform that can be applied to many different areas of biomedical engineering and medicine.”
The original intention behind the smart bandage is to treat chronic skin wounds that originate from diabetes. More than 25 million Americans- and more than 25 percent of U.S. adults 65 and older- suffer from such wounds. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that diabetes cases will triple by the year 2050.
The authors detailed their design and findings in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. In clinical trials preformed on wounded mice, the smart bandage regrew three times as much blood-rich tissue compared to the standard dry bandage. In another mice trial, an antibiotic-loaded version of the bandage eliminated infection-causing bacteria. Collectively, Tamayol noted that the heat needed to release the medications did not affect the potency.
Although patented and most of the components having been approved by the FDA, the smart bandage will take several years to arrive on the market due to regulatory restrictions. In the meantime, the team is working on developing fiber sensors to indicate health levels such as glucose and pH. With this data, the smart bandage could autonomously treat wounds and deliver proper treatments. Tamayol is optimistic that the approval process will be streamlined and the bandages will soon be publically available.
Contact Ampronix:
Email: info@ampronix.com
International Sales: +1 949-273-8000
Domestic Sales: 1800-400-7972 for US and Canada
Follow Us:
Share This Article:
View our Product Catalog Online Here
About Ampronix
Ampronix is a renowned authorized master distributor of the medical industry's top brands as well as a world class manufacturer of innovative technology. Since 1982, Ampronix has been dedicated to meeting the growing needs of the medical community with its extensive product knowledge, outstanding service, and state-of-the-art repair facility. Ampronix prides itself on its ability to offer tailored, one-stop solutions at a faster and more cost effective rate than other manufacturers. Ampronix is an ISO & ANSI/ESD certified facility. To learn more go here.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Harvard Medical School, and MIT have collaborated to create the world’s first “smart bandage” Orange County, CA – October 9th, 2017 – Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Harvard Medical School, and MIT have collaborated to create the world’s first “smart bandage.” This bandage is composed of embedded fibers activated […]