Area of expertise: Diagnostics and Digital Health
Wound moisture is known to be a key parameter to ensure optimum healing conditions in wound care. The cost of treating chronic wounds has been estimated to be £2.6Bn in the UK alone, with 200K patients, or more, at any one time having a chronic wound. The nursing time involved in dressing changes takes up a considerable amount of this cost. Hydration levels in a wound can alert a clinician to sub-optimal healing conditions; wounds that are too dry do not heal well and those that are too wet cause further tissue breakdown. This is important for both acute and chronic wounds and so covers many patients.
The contribution of the EPSRC CDT in Medical Devices and Health Technologies
Real-time measurement of moisture level in a wound was not previously possible until the Strathclyde group developed a disposable, sterile, moisture sensor for wound monitoring. Having a sensor to monitor dressings without their removal saves time, costs and patient trauma and, by not disturbing the wound bed, promotes better healing and less opportunity for infection. Later developments, including contributions from the EPSRC CDT in Medical Devices and Health Technologies, has seen the development of wearable moisture sensors and wound infection sensors, including a paediatric variant.
- Creating new ideas, methods and technologies for non-invasive wound monitoring.
- Forming new partnerships with the NHS and industry.
- Ultimately, benefitting patients at home and abroad.
A spin-out company, Ohmedics Limited, has licensed the intellectual property from the University of Strathclyde and is expanding its product portfolio.