‘Smart bandages’ of the future could monitor wound healing and deliver drugs, researchers say

LOS ANGELES (KABC)– The basic bandage, which has remained similar in design for years, could benefit from a high-tech upgrade.

Researchers are developing “smart dressings” that could have the ability to analyze and respond to how a wound is healing – and make the process easier.

The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything podcast recently highlighted how the new bandages will be filled with tiny sensors that can monitor the progress of wound healing. Some will allow doctors to provide care remotely.

“The doctor can give a small dose of electricity that can help promote healing,” said medical journalist Elizabeth Cohen. “The doctor can open a tiny valve in the bandage to release some sort of ointment or cream.”

Experts say it would be a game-changer for people with diabetes, which often delays wound healing.

Many smart bandages have shown promising results in laboratory tests, but it will still be years before they reach the market.

“There are definitely technical challenges, but actually when I talk to experts, they talk more about financial challenges,” Cohen said. “You have to convince Medicare. You have to convince the insurance companies to pay for this. You have to figure out how this is going to be paid for. That’s really the big challenge ahead of us.”