Thermal based Smart bandages

Abstract

Chronic wounds are an increasing problem in modern society. Millions of people are affected with chronic skin ulcers and treatment of these wounds has been estimated to cost billions annually. Poor care and follow up of these wounds can lead to infections, amputation and even death. A close follow-up of these wounds is necessary in order to deal with these problems. Nowadays, assessment and monitoring of chronic wounds is based on a visual inspection by medical professionals. This method is subjective and its reliability depends on the assessment criteria of the treating doctor. A thermal based Smart bandage can change this. By combining flexible sensors, printed on textile, and a smart measurement system, using the Transient Plane Source method, the thermal characteristics of the wound can be measured. This allows us to develop a compact and mobile system for monitoring wounds. Important parameters from the wound like wound exudate, thermal conductivity, wound seize, wound closure,… can be determined in an easy and non-invasive way. The advantage of this system is that it allows patient monitoring in his familiar environment and wound monitoring without clinicians having to remove the bandage from the wound.