Singapore Researchers Develop Smart Bandage for Chronic Wounds via DW

The smart bandage can monitor chronic wounds using a sensor. It will save time for health care professionals and means patients won’t have to make multiple trips to clinics.

Researchers at the National University of Singapore have developed the world’s first smart bandage.

The scientists, in collaboration with Singapore General Hospital, created VeCare, a bandage with a wearable sensor that can conduct real-time, point-of-care assessment of chronic wounds via an app.

It uses sensor technology that can detect temperature, pH, bacteria type and inflammatory factors specific to chronic wounds within 15 minutes.

It’s estimated that about 1% to 2% of people in developed countries will experience a chronic wound in their lifetime. VeCare could be particularly useful for people with diabetes who have foot ulcers.

“The VeCare platform is easily scalable and customizable to accommodate different panels of biomarkers to monitor various types of wounds,” said Lim Chwee Teck, director of the Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech) at the National University of Singapore.