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"Thinking" bandages will begin to control the wound healing process themselves
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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A new type of dressing with the unique ability to monitor how a wound surface is healing is set to appear in UK clinics soon.
Scientists representing the University of Wales Swansea have set themselves the task of developing a “thinking” dressing material that will not only perform a fixing and antiseptic function, but will also take on some of the functions of a doctor. This is reported by the well-known news agency BBC.
The “thinking” bandage will periodically evaluate the dynamics of healing of damaged tissues and inform the doctor about it, sending him a kind of “report”.
The source reports that the first experiments using such unique materials will be conducted this year. The use of high technology will allow bandages to be equipped with microscopic sensor inserts, which will monitor the healing process. The sensors will record the quality of the patient's blood clotting, possible infection, and also assess the general condition of the patient. Information from the sensors will be transmitted to the attending physician via the 5G network (the latest generation of wireless mobile communications system). It is assumed that the materials will initially be printed using a 3D printer.
The introduction of such a dressing material into operation will definitely help medical workers to more carefully monitor tissue regeneration processes, especially in cases of complex, difficult-to-heal wounds and sluggish processes - for example, with diabetes or extensive burns. Thanks to such bandages, the doctor will be able to promptly and adequately respond to any pathological changes in the wound, as well as prescribe treatment more efficiently. It is no secret that tissue restoration in different patients can proceed differently, so treatment can also differ dramatically. The "thinking" bandage will provide the opportunity to make dressings only when it is really necessary, with minimal participation of the attending physician in the process.
Many scientists believe that this innovation is overly ambitious, as the development and implementation of a new technological method may take at least several years - but not the twelve months stated by the developers. It is quite difficult to think through and implement such a plan carefully. Firstly, work on testing 5G coverage in Wales must be completed. Secondly, experts in nanotechnology must develop and test sensor inserts that will be embedded in the dressing material. According to some scientists, it would be much easier to develop a material with a color reaction to wound processes, or bandages based on special polymers that remove excess moisture from the wound.
However, the UK government has already allocated more than a billion pounds sterling to implement the project.