We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Autofluorescent Bandage Detects Pathogenic Bacteria

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 04 Apr 2016
Print article
Image: The prototype of the ‘smart’ wound dressing: not infected (L), infected (R) (Photo courtesy of the University of Bath).
Image: The prototype of the ‘smart’ wound dressing: not infected (L), infected (R) (Photo courtesy of the University of Bath).
An intelligent hydrogel wound dressing glows green when it detects the presence of harmful bacteria in wound biofilms, potentially reducing the use of antibiotics.

Developed by researchers at the University of Bath (United Kingdom), the University of Brighton (United Kingdom), and other institutions, the prototype wound dressing combines tiny vesicles containing a fluorescent dye mixed with agarose, which are then dispersed within a hydrogel matrix. When toxic bacteria come in contact with the vesicles within the hydrated agarose film, a reaction occurs that releases a dye that fluoresces, alerting attending healthcare professionals that the wound is infected.

The researchers tested the dressing in both static and dynamic models of wound biofilms, using clinical strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis, which were used to establish a biofilm on a nanoporous polycarbonate membrane for periods of 24, 48, and 72 hours. The results indicated a clear fluorescent response within four hours, which was only observed when in contact with biofilms produced by a pathogenic strain. Similar responses were demonstrated on an ex-vivo porcine skin model of burn wound infection.

The sensitivity of the dressing to biofilms was dependent on the species and strain types of the bacterial pathogens involved, but a relatively higher response was observed in strains considered good biofilm formers. The researchers also found a clear difference in the levels of response when the dressings were tested on bacteria grown in biofilm or in planktonic cultures, suggesting that the level of expression of virulence factors is different depending of the growth mode. The study describing to prototype dressing was published in the February 2016 issue of ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.

“The nanocapsules mimic skin cells in that they only break open when toxic bacteria are present; they aren’t affected by the harmless bacteria that normally live on healthy skin,” said senior author biophysical chemist Toby Jenkins, PhD, of the University of Brighton. “Using this dressing will allow clinicians to quickly identify infections without removing it, meaning that patients can be diagnosed and treated faster. It could really help to save lives.”

Related Links:

University of Bath
University of Brighton


Gold Member
Real-Time Diagnostics Onscreen Viewer
GEMweb Live
Gold Member
12-Channel ECG
CM1200B
Silver Member
Wireless Mobile ECG Recorder
NR-1207-3/NR-1207-E
New
Silver Member
ECG Management System
NEMS-Q

Print article

Channels

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: NTT and Olympus have begun the world\'s first joint demonstration experiment of a cloud endoscopy system (Photo courtesy of Olympus)

Cloud Endoscopy System Enables Real-Time Image Processing on the Cloud

Endoscopes, which are flexible tubes inserted into the body's natural openings for internal examination and biopsy collection, are becoming increasingly vital in medical diagnostics. Their minimal invasiveness... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The PATHFAST hs-cTnI-II high-sensitivity troponin assay has been developed for the PATHFAST Biomarker Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Polymedco)

POC Myocardial Infarction Test Delivers Results in 17 Minutes

Chest pain is the second leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits by adults in the United States, generating over 7 million visits annually. In the event of a suspected heart attack, physicians... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.