Monitoring Wounds with Non-Invasive Impedance Mapping
Principal Investigator: David M. Young, M.D.
Team Members: Claire Graves, Hobart Harris, Michel Maharbiz, Monica Lin, Amy Liao
Challenge
Every year over 1.8 million new patients develop problematic wounds that require prolonged treatment at specialized wound care clinics in the United States. Monitoring the health of the wound remains the most common challenge for both the clinician and patient. A bandage to track whether a wound is improving or deteriorating allows clinicians to guide treatment accordingly and also offers a greater sense of safety to patients.
Solution
Using impedance spectroscopy, the Sentinel Bandage maps the various stages of wound healing and monitors the health of skin and superficial soft tissue, offering improved diagnostics for a large number of patients by facilitating the treatment of their wounds. The initial two clinical applications include measuring wounds as they heal and detecting pressure ulcers (bedsores). Once fully developed the platform technology has potential for use in multiple markets.
Funding
Honors & Awards
2nd place, Surgical Innovations Accelerator Shark Tank! September 2015
Development
The project is currently in the midst of an ongoing clinical trial. The team is also working to refine the prototype.
Publications
- Swisher SL, Lin MC, Liao A, Leeflang EJ, Khan Y, Pavinatto FJ, Mann K, Naujokas A, Young D, Roy S, Harrison MR, Arias AC, Subramanian V, Maharbiz MM. Impedance sensing device enables early detection of pressure ulcers in vivo. Nat Commun. 2015 Mar 17;6:6575.
Featured Media
Innovative research by Dr. David M. Young Featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education - UCSF Surgical Innovations - January 16, 2016
'Smart bandage' detects bedsores before they are visible to doctors - Berkeley News - March 17, 2015