A novel, small, and flexible bandage that can administer electrotherapy directly to an injury has been developed by scientists at Northwestern University. In a trial involving animals, the groundbreaking bandage was shown to accelerate the healing of diabetic sores in mice by 30% compared to those without the bandage.
Furthermore, the bandage is capable of monitoring the healing progress continuously and eventually dissolves entirely along with its electrodes inside the body after serving its purpose. This innovative device could prove to be an essential tool for individuals with diabetes, as their wounds could result in severe outcomes like limb amputation or even death.
The research was published in the journal Science Advances. It marks the first bioresorbable bandage capable of delivering electrotherapy and the first example of a smart regenerative system.
Guillermo A. Ameer, co-leader of the study from Northwestern University, stated that the primary objective when someone sustains a wound is to expedite the closure process in order to prevent the wound from becoming infected. People with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to infections, which can be challenging to manage and pose significant risks. As a result, there is a significant demand for cost-effective wound closure solutions that are effective for these patients. The newly developed bandage is a practical and adaptable option that is both comfortable and efficient in closing wounds, thereby preventing infections and additional complications.
“Although it’s an electronic device, the active components that interface with the wound bed are entirely resorbable,” said Northwestern’s John A. Rogers, who co-led the study. “As such, the materials disappear naturally after the healing process is complete, thereby avoiding any damage to the tissue that could otherwise be caused by physical extraction.”
According to researchers, diabetes affects nearly 30 million individuals in the United States, and roughly 15 to 25% of them experience a diabetic foot ulcer at some stage in their lives. Nerve damage caused by diabetes can cause numbness, making it possible for individuals to ignore a minor blister or scratch. Additionally, high levels of glucose can thicken capillary walls and impair blood circulation, impeding the healing process of these wounds. This combination of factors creates an ideal environment for a minor injury to develop into a severe wound.
The researchers were curious to see if electrical stimulation therapy could help close these stubborn wounds. According to Ameer, injuries can disrupt the body’s normal electrical signals. By applying electrical stimulation, it restores the body’s normal signals, attracting new cells to migrate to the wound bed.
Researchers have developed a flexible bandage that features a smart regenerative system consisting of two electrodes – one that sits on top of the wound bed and a ring-shaped electrode that surrounds the entire wound. The other side of the bandage contains an energy-harvesting coil and an NFC system that can wirelessly transmit real-time data. The bandage also includes sensors that can assess the wound’s healing progress by measuring the resistance of electrical current across it. Physicians can remotely operate the device and decide when to apply electrical stimulation and monitor the healing process.
