A team led by Professor Jiun-Tai Chen from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University has developed an innovative "future bandage" that changes color based on the pH levels of a wound. This bandage, created using electrospinning technology combined with a special dye, enables real-time wound monitoring while being both eco-friendly and highly efficient. Not only does it effectively aid in wound detection and treatment, but it also helps reduce medical waste.
With the advancement of medical technology, the amount of medical waste has been steadily increasing, and consumables such as bandages account for up to 60% of this waste, placing a significant burden on the environment. Although some responsive textile materials are available, they are often applied to films that have poor breathability and are not suitable for medical use. Other materials can only detect specific bacteria, limiting their application. Furthermore, current technologies often rely on fluorescent molecules that react slowly, making it difficult to provide real-time monitoring of wound changes.
The future bandage uses fluoran dye, which is engineered with functional groups that enable a controlled color change reaction in different pH environments. Typically, healthy human skin is neutral, but when a wound becomes inflamed, its secretions become slightly acidic. If the wound becomes infected with bacteria, the pH shifts from acidic to alkaline. This technology leverages these pH changes by combining them with electrospinning techniques to produce pH-sensitive color-changing fibers. The fibers change color according to the wound's condition, allowing for the monitoring of wound progress and preventing further deterioration. Additionally, the use of thermoplastic polyurethane ensures that the fibers maintain structural integrity after multiple uses, and the simple manufacturing process makes it suitable for mass production.
Experimental data shows that the fiber reacts to pH changes within 10 seconds, producing a high contrast color change that is easily visible to the naked eye without the need for electronic devices. The fibers also have excellent breathability and elasticity, comfortably adhering to the skin and reducing discomfort for patients. More importantly, after use, the fiber’s color can be restored through a simple alkaline treatment, allowing for wider applications and significantly reducing medical waste.
Professor Jiun-Tai Chen emphasized that the future bandage not only allows for real-time wound monitoring but also possesses high mechanical strength and excellent breathability, which will greatly enhance medical efficiency and ease the burden on healthcare workers while improving patient comfort. In the future, this smart fiber could be applied to a wider range of medical consumables, such as gauze, providing patients with more convenient and comfortable home care experiences. The team has already filed for a patent and plans to collaborate with domestic and international textile manufacturers and medical materials companies to bring this technology to market, offering new possibilities for smart healthcare.
Resource (mandarin): 智慧繃帶遇酸鹼即變色！10秒內判定傷口感染
