Scientists have developed a “smart” bandage that can heal a serious wound 25% faster than the average bandage. The research, which was published in Nature Biotechnology revealed that these bandages are battery-free, flexible device that monitors the injury and simultaneously delivers targeted healing treatments. “In sealing the wound, the smart bandage protects as it heals,” lead researcher Yuanwen Jiang, a professor at Stanford University said in a press release. As per its creators, these smart bandages are not a passive tool but an active healing device that could transform the standard of care in the treatment of chronic wounds. A miniature prototype of these bandages was tested on mice in the US as the team tracked the data in real time. "Across pre-clinical wound models in mice, the treatment group healed 25 percent more rapidly and with 50 percent enhancement in skin remodeling. This was compared with controls. Further, we observed activation of pro-regenerative genes in immune cell populations, which may enhance recovery," researchers said. Smart Bandages Target The WoundThese high-tech dressing repairs tissue by combining electrical stimulation and biosensors. The electronic layer of the "smart" bandage is just 100 microns thick, which is equivalent to human hair. It includes a microcontroller, radio antenna, memory, electrical stimulator, biosensors and other components. Underneath lies a cleverly engineered, rubbery, skin-like hydrogel that delivers healing electrical stimulation and collects the biosensor data. Electrical stimulation is known to limit bacterial infections and repair damaged tissue. The researchers found that the stimulation increased the immune system’s white blood cell populations, namely monocytes in the blood and macrophages in the tissue. Research showed that the bandage works in part by triggering an anti-inflammatory gene called SELENOP, which has been found to help with pathogen clearance and wound repair. It also switches on another gene called APOE, which has been shown to increase muscle and soft tissue growth. The design also contains a polymer to securely stick to a wound when needed and pull away harmlessly when warmed to 104 degrees farhenheight.How Does Wound Healing Work?Wound healing is the body's natural process of repairing damaged tissue. It occurs in four key stages. The first is hemostasis, where blood vessels constrict, and clotting factors form a scab to stop bleeding and protect the wound. Next is the inflammatory phase, where white blood cells remove bacteria and debris while releasing signals to trigger repair. This phase often causes redness and swelling.The proliferative phase follows, during which fibroblasts generate collagen and new tissue forms, along with the development of tiny blood vessels (angiogenesis) to supply nutrients. Finally, in the remodeling or maturation phase, collagen fibers strengthen and realign, and the wound edges contract, forming a scar.Several factors, including age, nutrition, hydration, and medical conditions like diabetes, can impact healing. Proper wound care, such as keeping the area clean and moist, supports faster recovery and reduces the risk of infection.