Bandages housing sensors that can detect how a wound is healing and send notifications to doctors and patients could be trialled in the next year, scientists have said.
Researchers at Swansea University’s Institute of Life Science (ILS) have said the technology would use 5G mobile data to send feedback to doctors in real time with information on what a patient needs to aid their recovery.
According to the ILS, nanotechnology would be used to place tiny sensors into specially created bandages that then constantly monitor the state of an injury and provide changing feedback to doctors and patients as recovery takes place over a 5G network.
The work forms part of a £1.3 billion deal for the area known as the Swansea Bay City Region deal, which includes the creation of a 5G test hub as part of digital innovation plans.
The plans are part of a wider commitment by the Government to invest in 5G connectivity in the UK.
Professor Marc Clement, chairman of the Institute of Life Science told the BBC the smart bandages could be used to personalise treatment for each patient depending on how they were healing.
“You combine all of that intelligence so the clinician knows the performance of the specific wound at any specific time and can then tailor the treatment protocol to the individual and wound in question,” he said.
Professor Clement said the result could be a better understanding of wound healing for doctors and more peace of mind for patients, who would be able to see results for themselves in the data.
