200 inpatients who were in need of infusion therapy from October to December 2018 were enrolled and randomly divided into the intervention group and the control group. There was no significant difference in age and disease diagnosis between the two groups (
Researchers in Singapore say they have developed a bandage that can detect and wirelessly send medical information related to chronic wounds, such as temperature and bacteria type. With the ability to capture and transmit such data in under 15 minutes, the wearable sensor is touted to speed up assessment of such wounds and provide more timely treatment.
Called VeCare, the platform encompasses a "wound sensing bandage", an electronic chip, and a mobile app through which data is transmitted, said the research team from the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthtech) at National University of Singapore (NUS). The researchers also worked with clinical partners from Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
The bandage features a wound contact layer, breathable outer barrier, microfluidic fluid collector, and a flexible immunosensor, NUS said in a statement Thursday. Using an electrochemical system, the hospital bandage detect various biomarkers specific to chronic wounds and facilitate the assessment of the wound's microenvironment, inflammation, and state of infection.
The microfluidic wound fluid collector, which is attached to the sensor, directs and enhances fluid delivery to the sensor by up to 180%, according to NUS, adding that this helps ensure the sensor can perform reliably regardless of the ulcer shape or size.
The microchip also is embedded with flexible electronics connected to the sensor, enabling data to be transmitted wirelessly to the app for on-site assessment and analysis in real-time. Data is sent to the patient's paired mobile device, on which it is stored and analysed. This processor also is powered by a rechargeable battery. In the study, we used disposable infusion needles with a new type separation-free safety tube for the patients in the intervention group and conventional ones with a self-contained protective cover in the control group. Patients in both groups volunteered to participate and had signed informed consent.
Operation Methods
Six ward nurses with proficiency in the conventional infusion operation were selected, including 2 nurses working for 1-3 years, 2 for 3-5 years, and 2 for over 5 years. Before the project, all of them were trained in the operation of this new type safety tube and qualified. In the control group, conventional disposable infusion needles were used. After breathing, the self-contained protective cover was discarded, and the needle was fixed after acupuncture, then separated from the infusion set into a sharps box at the end. Patients in the intervention group were treated with new disposable infusion sets. The specific operation steps were as follows: (1) Instead of being removed after breathing, the safety tube slid to the flexible tube when the fin of the needle was pushed along the slit to make the needle out of the tube. Then, the infusion operation was as the same as the control group. (2) After infusion, the needle was removed. The upper end of the flexible tube away from the needle was raised, and the needle side was lowered to make the safety tube slide down to the needle side. Then, the fin was pushed to slide along the slit into the rectangular hole. The needle was thus blocked, and the whole infusion set was disposed into a special collection bag.