Smart Bandage for Chronic Wound Monitoring and On-Demand Drug Delivery

Abstract

Chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure sores, pose significant challenges due to prolonged healing times and high infection risks. Traditional wound care lacks real-time feedback, often resulting in delayed treatment. This study presents a prototype smart bandage integrating temperature and moisture sensors managed by an Arduino Uno microcontroller. The system provides real-time monitoring of wound conditions and issues alerts based on abnormal readings, guiding external therapeutic action. Though wireless transmission and embedded drug delivery were not included in the current version, the prototype demonstrates the feasibility of low-cost, sensor-based wound monitoring. This innovation holds promise for enhancing chronic wound care, especially in resource-limited settings.

Introduction

Chronic wounds like pressure sores and diabetic foot ulcers are difficult to treat due to prolonged healing times and risk of infection. Traditional wound monitoring is labor-intensive and limited, prompting the development of smart bandages that use biosensors to provide real-time data on wound conditions.

This project presents a low-cost smart bandage prototype that uses analog temperature and moisture sensors connected to an Arduino Uno. The system prioritizes affordability, modularity, and ease of use, especially for resource-limited settings like rural areas or academic labs.

Key Features:

• Sensors: LM35 for temperature and an analog moisture sensor.

• Microcontroller: Arduino Uno, interfaced with a computer via USB (no battery or wireless).

• Software: Arduino IDE code averages 60 readings per minute and compares them to preset thresholds.

• Output: Real-time feedback via Serial Monitor; alerts for abnormal moisture/temperature levels.

• Testing: Performed on a real human subject to simulate wound conditions.

Findings:

• The system effectively tracked temperature (converted from raw values) and moisture levels (0–45%).

• Alerts were triggered when thresholds were exceeded, indicating potential infection.

• Despite its simplicity, the prototype proved functional, accurate, and adaptable.

• Limitations: No wireless communication or integrated drug delivery; drug application was external and manual.

Contribution:

The prototype fills a gap in existing solutions by offering a simple, educational, and low-cost alternative for wound monitoring. It serves as a proof-of-concept for future smart, wireless, and autonomous bandage systems.

Conclusion

This project successfully demonstrated a functional prototype of a smart bandage system designed for real-time chronic wound monitoring. By integrating a temperature sensor (LM35) and a moisture sensor with an Arduino Uno microcontroller, the system effectively monitored two key parameters critical to wound healing— temperature and moisture. Real-time feedback was provided via a USB interface to a computer, allowing caregivers to assess wound conditions and respond appropriately. The results from real-time testing on a human subject showed that the system could reliably detect abnormal conditions. Specifically, the prototype flagged potential infection risks when moisture levels exceeded predefined thresholds, especially in the presence of elevated temperatures. The simplicity and affordability of the system make it suitable for low-resource environments, providing a strong foundation for further development. However, the prototype had several limitations. It operated in a wired configuration, with no onboard power or wireless transmission. Additionally, while the concept of on-demand drug delivery was considered, it was demonstrated externally using a pump and motor rather than being integrated into the bandage. Despite these constraints, the project provides a foundational proof-of-concept that validates the utility of sensor-based wound monitoring.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 J R Maithreyi, Priyadharshini M. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.