AI wound care monitor detects infections early

Editor's Note

A flexible, sensor-laden “smart” bandage that uses AI to predict infection before it impacts wound healing has worked in mice and is now being trialed for humans through research in progress led by a physician scientist in the department of surgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, per a November 14 news story from the university.

Currently, 83 patients with difficult to heal ulcers are being tested with the smart bandage technology that provides data regarding specific conditions in the wound, including temperature and pH. So far, they’ve found trends that correlate with infections or deterioration before clinical diagnosis. One early finding from this research highlighted in the news story showed no relationship between pH changes and wound outcomes, which challenges current understanding of wound healing.

Further research on continuous monitoring of the smart bandage on patients continues and the lead investigator said his team plans to extend this research to post-surgical monitoring to predict readmissions and complications. They also hope to explore new sensing modalities for the smart bandage technology to treat infections autonomously, so the bandage could treat an infection without a physician’s involvement, per the news story.