Smart Bandages: The Future of Wound Care

Wound care is getting a high-tech upgrade. Scientists have created a smart bandage that can monitor and treat infections. This isn't your average bandage. It's a 3D-printed hydrogel pad that does two things at once: it checks the wound's pH level and releases medicine when needed. Here's how it works. The bandage is made of a special material called Pluronic F127-dimethacrylate (PF127-DMA). It's designed to be easy to print and do two jobs. One part of the bandage changes color based on the pH level of the wound. Another part releases medicine if it detects an infection.The bandage uses a dye called bromocresol purple to show the pH level. Healthy skin has a pH between 4. 0 and 6. 0. If the wound is infected, the pH becomes more alkaline, between 7. 4 and 8. 0. The bandage changes color to show this change. The bandage also releases the antibiotic levofloxacin. It releases more medicine when the pH is higher, meaning it's more active when there's an infection. The bandage also has graphene oxide, which helps the medicine work better. Tests showed that the bandage is safe and effective. It's a big step forward in wound care. The bandage could make treating infections faster and more personalized.