Bedsores can be Spotted Before They are Visible

Bedsores, also known as pressure sores, develop when the skin and the underlying tissues experience prolonged pressure.

Pressure ulcers occur before patients notice them and they are difficult to manage. Researchers at University of California, Berkeley, have now created a flexible sensor, which can detect pressure-caused tissue damage before it is visible to the human eye. //

The device makes use of impedance spectroscopy to map out the tissue below its electrode array. When tested on rats, the variations in the map correlate with tissue damage.

Optimized Treatment for Preventing and Managing Bed Sores
A pressure ulcer is an area of skin that breaks down when constant pressure is placed against the skin. With appropriate treatment, the agony caused by pressure ulcer can be reduced.

A high-resolution map can be created, as dozens of electrodes are spaced just millimetres away from each other. Tissue with lots of injured cells lets electricity pass through while healthy tissue resists the passage of electricity.

The non-invasive technology should be tested on human subjects before it is commercialised. This technology can be applied to design bed sheets capable of sensing the body and may be even smart underwear for wheelchair users.

Source-Medindia

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