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 hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
ARAB HEALTH - INFORMA

Download Mobile App




Wireless Biosensor Detects Infections Much Earlier Through Smart Catheters, Smart Diapers and Wound Dressings

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 22 Nov 2023
Print article
Image: Wireless biosensors can relieve some of the burden on healthcare systems (Photo courtesy of 123RF)
Image: Wireless biosensors can relieve some of the burden on healthcare systems (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Researchers have developed a wireless biosensor that paves the way for an advanced patient-controlled system to detect infections earlier. This technology can be integrated into smart catheters, smart diapers, or wound dressings, enhancing the way health and various diseases are monitored.

The wireless biosensor developed at Malmö University (Malmö, Sweden) stands out for its compact and lightweight design, which has been achieved by eliminating traditional integrated circuits and bulky batteries. The result is a smaller, more manageable biosensor with increased flexibility. It operates using a standard RFA tag, similar to those used in electronic door systems, but with the chip component removed. Since the device's primary function is to record and transmit data, the data storage, protection, and processing capabilities of the chip are not necessary.

The absence of a battery in this system means it cannot use Bluetooth or other long-range technologies. Instead, it relies on induction for power, where a mobile phone emits electromagnetic radiation to activate the tag. For this system to work, the mobile phone, acting as the reader, needs to be within five centimeters of the tag. The tag's antenna includes silver, a conductive material. In response to specific reactions, the silver transforms into silver chloride, a non-conductive substance, thereby disrupting the antenna circuit. The detection of particular analytes repairs the antenna and alters its characteristic frequency, enabling the wireless sensing of biological reactions. This innovative setup has not only been successful in wirelessly detecting glucose in whole blood samples but has also shown promise in monitoring medically significant microbial biofilms in wound fluids.

“Imagine that you have a diaper with a sensor that, when exposed to urine, can detect the presence of bacteria in the bladder; the patient can measure and monitor the infection themselves. It will save both time and money because it eliminates a lot of unnecessary doctor's appointments," said Atefeh Shafaat, the Malmö University researcher who developed the biosensor. “Unnecessary removal of dressings to check the infection increases the risk of contamination of the wound. Using this technology to detect the infection at an early stage makes treatment much easier."

Related Links:
Malmö University 

New
Gold Member
X-Ray QA Meter
T3 AD Pro
Gold Member
Real-Time Diagnostics Onscreen Viewer
GEMweb Live
New
Standing Sling
Sara Flex
New
LED Examination Lamp
Clarity 50 LED

Print article

Channels

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: (Left) An image of a 3D-printed material implanted in vivo for 4 weeks. (Right) A photo of coral (Photo courtesy of Dr Zhidao Xia and Jesus Cobaleda)

Revolutionary Coral-Inspired Material for Bone Repair Promotes Faster Healing

Bone defects caused by fractures, tumors, and non-healing injuries are major contributors to disability worldwide. Traditionally, doctors have used either a patient’s own bone (autograft) or donor bone... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The portable biosensor platform uses printed electrochemical sensors for the rapid, selective detection of Staphylococcus aureus (Photo courtesy of AIMPLAS)

Portable Biosensor Platform to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections

Approximately 4 million patients in the European Union acquire healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) or nosocomial infections each year, with around 37,000 deaths directly resulting from these infections,... 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 acoustic pipette uses sound waves to test for biomarkers in blood (Photo courtesy of Patrick Campbell/CU Boulder)

Handheld, Sound-Based Diagnostic System Delivers Bedside Blood Test Results in An Hour

Patients who go to a doctor for a blood test often have to contend with a needle and syringe, followed by a long wait—sometimes hours or even days—for lab results. Scientists have been working hard to... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.