The temporary electronic bandage reduces inflammation and dissolves in the human body after use.
Photos from open sources
Scientists at Northwestern University have created a groundbreaking medical device that can improve the healing process: an electrotherapy patch that speeds up wound healing and safely self-dissolves.
This innovative bandage has been tested on diabetic ulcers in animal tests, showing over 30% faster healing compared to untreated lesions. This may be important for people with diabetes, whose ulcers can lead to debilitating consequences such as limb amputation or even death.
Study leader Guillermo A. Amir explained that when a person has a wound, doctors’ only goal is to close it as quickly as possible. Otherwise, it will have serious consequences. For example, people with diabetes are more likely to have even more difficult-to-treat infections.
John A. Rogers added that despite being an electronic device, the components that interact with the wound are resource intensive. They disappear after the healing process is completed, avoiding damage to the wound and tissues.
Researchers have explored electrical stimulation therapy as a possible solution: restoring the body’s standard signals with electrical currents helps attract the necessary nutrients needed to close non-healing wounds.
The researchers sought to develop a more user-friendly electrotherapy product that could be used at home. Studies have shown that by creating an electrical environment around the wound, cells quickly migrate and regenerate skin tissues, suppressing inflammation.
Scientists have developed a small, flexible bandage that can be quickly wrapped around a wound. This revolutionary system uses tiny flower-shaped electrodes to be placed on wounds and a circumferential ring electrode to be placed on healthy tissue.
All this is equipped with a coil that reliably transmits data in real time using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.
With these features, the electronic wireless remote control can easily control the device. Physicians can remotely decide when to apply electrical stimulation, as well as monitor the healing process.
After the wound heals, the electrode dissolves into your body, eliminating the need to remove it.
