Hum Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 A 'smart' dressing which illuminates as it releases bug-busting antibiotics into wounds is being developed by British scientists. The state-of-the-art bandage is filled with tiny 'nano-capsules' of drugs that are triggered by the presence of bacteria and will treat the infection before it can take hold. The bandage changes colour as the medication is triggered - alerting doctors and nurses there is infection in the wound. This is an important step in treating burns patients, particularly children, where infections can lead to toxic shock syndrome, a potentially fatal condition. The dressing could be also used for treating burns, ulcers or soldiers injured in action. Project leader Dr Toby Jenkins of Bath University said: 'If this was available right now it would be extremely useful for our soldiers in Afghanistan. 'Being injured in the desert or the battlefield makes them extremely prone to infection so such a dressing for their wounds would be a tremendous boon. 'Your skin is normally home to billions of 'friendly' bacteria which it needs to stay healthy. 'The dressing is only triggered by disease-causing bacteria which produce toxins that break open capsules containing the antibiotics and dye which makes it take on a green hue. 'This means antibiotics are only released when needed which reduces the risk of the evolution of new antibiotic-resistant super-bugs such as MRSA. 'We are making a prototype at the moment and hope we could start clinical testing in about three years.' more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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