Image of the sensor courtesy of NTU.
A new biosensor capable of accurately monitoring the condition of a chronic wound, such as diabetic foot ulcers, has been developed by a team of engineers and clinical academics at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust in the United Kingdom. The aim is for the technology to be embedded into dressings so that they do not need to be continually removed and replaced to assess how a wound is healing. The team said that in time, the technology could help to reduce the risk of patients becoming seriously ill, prevent amputation, and save time and money.
Patients cannot currently assess the condition of a wound and health professionals are required to remove the dressing to assess it visually. This takes time as patients require an appointment and removing the dressing too soon risks lengthening the healing process, making scarring worse, or introducing an infection. The dressing also needs replacing each time the wound is checked.
The new sensor, which is printed onto fabric, would be integrated in the dressing. The miniature sensor, which is lightweight and flexible, uses electrodes to analyze the concentration of specific proteins in a wound constantly and in real time. Using app-based technology, the patient would be able to take a reading and receive simple information by holding a smartphone near the dressing. That reading would determine whether the dressing required changing, can come off completely, or if the wound has an infection. They would then be able to book an appointment, if necessary, so that it can be checked by a clinician.
