MIT Creates Electronic Bandage Which Can Heal Wounds Faster. How Awesome is That?

First, there was a gel to instantly stop bleeding. Then, a sponge for sealing gunshot wounds. Now, this.

Scientists at MIT may have just revolutionized wound and injury care with a hydrogel they have formulated. Associate Professor Xuanhe Zhao, along with graduate and postgraduate students at MIT, have developed a malleable hydrogel that can be embedded with sensors and fitted to other surfaces.

The hydrogel, composed of water and selected biopolymers, has a stiffness range of 10-100 kilopascals similar to human tissue; meaning, their hydrogel can be maximized for medical use. By embedding semiconductor chips, LED lights, conductive wires, and body-measuring sensors, the scientists were able to create a wound dressing capable of fitting in any part of the body. Aside from being a wound dressing, the hydrogel could also dispense medication. Likewise, it can work with smartphones to provide additional information for healthcare workers and the user himself.

Watch this video for more information:

The creation of this hydrogel can help revolutionize burn and injury treatment; however, its creators are targeting subdermal applications as well. According to Zhao, ” We are working on hydrogel matrices and coatings for implantable devices such as glucose sensors.” Aside from this, he is also planning to use the hydrogel as a carrier for neural probes.

Although the gel is still in the early stages of development, it is highly probable that this wonderful technology will be put to good use in the near future. Who knows, your bandage might do more than just cover your wound in the future.

Source: The Daily Dot