Boston Scientists Developing SMART Bandage Called ‘Window Into The Wound’

BOSTON (CBS) – When someone has a cut or a burn, it can be tough to tell if it healing properly. Even by an experienced eye. But scientists at the Wellman Center at Masschusetts General Hospital are working on a SMART bandage that can be a “window into a wound.” “I actually got to go in and meet burn patients, our wounded warriors, who are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan and actually seeing how difficult it was to treat these patients,” said Dr. Conor Evans, a researcher at Mass General, while remembering a trip to an army medical center which inspired his latest research. “When I came back, I sat down with my team and we just got to work. How can we improve wound healing for these patients?” His answer? The SMART bandage. The creation is a simple design that could revolutionize how wounds are managed, especially burns and diabetic ulcers that can be a challenge because it’s hard to tell if they’re healing properly. “A doctor or nurse currently has to unwrap the burn or the wound and visually inspect it,” explained Evans. “They press it, they poke it, they smell it.” Dr. Conor Evans explains how the SMART bandage works. (WBZ-TV) And even then, it’s not always black and white. But with the SMART bandage, it’s red and green. “We designed this to be like a traffic light,” said Evans. “Red light. Green light. Green light means good oxygenation, it means go. The patient is doing well. Red means oxygenation is poor. This thi...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Seen On WBZ-TV Syndicated Local Watch Listen Dr. Mallika Marshall Massachusetts General Hospital SMART Bandage Wellman Center Source Type: news