2015/12/21
Bandage that signals infection
Researchers in the United Kingdom recently unveiled a prototype “intelligent” dressing that turns fluorescent green to signal the onset of an infection. The color-changing bandage contains a gel-like material infused with tiny capsules that release nontoxic fluorescent dye in response to contact with populations of bacteria that commonly cause wound infections.
Led by Toby Jenkins, a professor of biophysical chemistry at the University of Bath, the inventors of the new bandage, which has not yet been tested in humans, say it could be used to alert health-care professionals to an infection early enough to prevent the patient from getting sick. In some cases it may even be able help avoid the need for antibiotics, says Jenkins.
