Researchers report that they have developed a smart bandage that can sample fluid released from a wound and detect molecular biomarkers, flagging infection days before a patient experiences symptoms.
The iCares wearable device could help determine how well a wound is healing and guide treatment decisions, which usually rely on regular medical evaluation by skilled professionals.
The device, described in Science Translational Medicine, is made up of a flexible, biocompatible polymer strip that can be 3D printed at low cost.
The researchers tested iCares in both mice and human patients with chronic wounds.
During long-term mouse monitoring, they identified early changes in sensor readings consistent with early infection through the sensor data before visible symptoms appeared.
In 20 human patients with venous or diabetic wounds, AI-augmented sensor data enabled accurate wound and outcome classification, the researchers noted.
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