Smart Patches & Bandages

On-Skin Wearable Bioelectronic Device Uses Breathable, Stretchable Material

Researchers at the University of Missouri have made a significant breakthrough in their ongoing development of an on-skin wearable bioelectronic device. Zheng Yan’s lab recently added an important component to the team’s existing ultrasoft, breathable and stretchable material. The key feature: wireless charging — without batteries — through a magnetic connection.

Healing Eyes with Contact Lenses

A cross-disciplinary team has developed a new contact lens material that could act as a bandage for corneal wounds while releasing drugs in a controlled manner to help the eye heal faster.

Wearable Injectors: The Future of Drug Delivery

Exploring advancements in wearable injector technology, examining how these devices are transforming the administration of medications, improving patient adherence, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of treatment plans.

Continuous Monitoring: Biosensors for Health Insights

DNA-based biosensors offer a highly sensitive and specific approach for detecting a range of target molecules.

Novel ‘Bone Bandage’ Material for Cracked Bones

Researchers have developed a biomimetic scaffold that generates electrical signals upon the application of pressure by utilizing the unique osteogenic ability of hydroxyapatite (HAp). HAp is...

Wireless Drug Patch Shows Promise as Chronic Disease Treatment Delivery System

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scientists created a new drug-delivery system, called the Spatiotemporal On-Demand Patch (SOP), which can receive commands wirelessly from a smartphone or computer to schedule and trigger the release of drugs from individual microneedles.

Electronic Polymer Patch Prevents Misplaced Radiation

Using a simple concept and a patented sensor that detects radioactive materials, a team has developed a patch to stop damage to healthy tissue during proton radiotherapy, one of the best...

A Breakthrough in Wearable Neuromodulation

An at home, non-invasive for urge urinary incontinence and urinary urgency without the need for surgery, implants, or drugs demonstrated to potential of wearable neuromodulation.

Navigating Clinical Trials with Wearables

Medical-grade wearables can increase patient engagement and gather robust data for clinical trials.

Powering Wearables: Balancing Battery Life with Power Efficiency

Wearable medical devices must balance the need for continuous monitoring with power efficiency.

Seamless Integration and Interoperability of Wearables

Achieving interoperability as medical-grade wearables integrate with diverse healthcare systems.

Patch Uses Body Motion for Disc Herniation

The tension-activated repair patches (TARPs) provide controlled release of an anti-inflammatory molecule called anakinra from microcapsules over time, which helped discs in a large animal model regain the tension they need to reverse herniation and prevent further degeneration.

2024: Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Healthcare

As industry navigates technological frontiers, the collective goal is to enhance patient experiences, streamline processes, and make healthcare more accessible and equitable. This article explores key emerging trends that are not only improving patient engagement but are also set to redefine the future of healthcare.

Magnetic Gel Improves Wound Health

An innovative magnetic wound-healing gel promises to accelerate the healing of diabetic wounds, reduce the rates of recurrence, and in turn, lower the incidents of limb amputations.

Al-Enabled Sensor Offers Holistic Wound Monitoring

The PETAL (Paper-like Battery-free In situ AI-enabled Multiplexed) sensor patch comprises of five colorimetric sensors that can determine the patient’s wound healing status within 15 minutes by measuring a combination of biomarkers.

Videos of the Month

See the videos of the month, including one on an infrared imager that can be used to easily locate an individual’s blood vessels while monitoring heart rate at the same time, an origami-inspired medical patch for minimally invasive surgery, and more.

Wearable Patch Wirelessly Monitors Estrogen in Sweat

A wearable sensor monitors estradiol by detecting its presence in sweat. The researchers say the sensor may one day make it easier for women to monitor their estradiol levels at home and...

Wearable Ultrasound Patch Goes Completely Cable-Free

A fully wireless ultrasound patch can continuously track critical vital signals such as heart rate and blood pressure. The patch, which can capture detailed medical information and...

Polymer Patch Warns of Danger

To ensure that wounds remain tightly sealed in the abdomen after surgery, researchers have developed a patch with a sensor function. The polymer patch warns before the occurrence of dangerous leaks on sutures...

Stretchable Knee Wearable Offers Insight into Improving e-Textiles for Healthcare

Researchers have developed a fully knitted, circuit-embedded knee wearable for wireless sensing of joint motion in real time. Compared to other knitted electronics, this model has fewer externally integrated components and a more sensitive sensor, making it less error prone.

E-Tattoo Improves Heart Monitoring

A new flexible, wearable medical device could provide a major boost in the fight against heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. The ultrathin, lightweight electronic tattoo, or...

Bioprinted Patches for Heart Repair

A new technology that uses bioprinted patches to repair damaged heart tissue has been proven to be safe and cost-effective for patients.

ECG Patch Paves Way for Sustainable Wearables

A new sustainable electrocardiogram patch is fully recyclable. The device, made of biomaterials, is modular, so electronic components can be easily removed from the disposable patch and used...

Smart Bandages Monitor Wounds and Provide Targeted Treatment

A new kind of smart bandage may make treatment of these wounds easier, more effective, and less expensive. Unlike a typical bandage, which might only consist of layers of...

Powering Wearable Technology with MXene Textile Supercapacitor ‘Patch’

Researchers at Drexel University are one step closer to making wearable textile technology a reality.

An Ultrasoft Material for On-Skin Health Devices

Researchers have created an ultrasoft skin-like material that’s both breathable and stretchable for use in the development of an on-skin, wearable bioelectronic device.

First Transient Electronic Bandage Speeds Healing by 30%

Researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind small, flexible, stretchable bandage that accelerates healing by delivering electrotherapy directly to the wound site.

Smart Stitches Reduce Infection, Simplify Post-Op Monitoring

Surgical site infections are one of the most common medical infections, occurring in 2–4 percent of patients post-surgery.

Stretchable, Wearable Patch for Cardiac Ultrasound

A wearable cardiac ultrasound imager can noninvasively capture real-time images of the human heart for an extended period of time. The patch, which is about the size of a postage stamp, has...