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Technology Transfer
Scientists Develop Dye for Wound Dressings to Indicate Infection
Posted: November 10, 2010
The wound dressing is formulated with an indicator dye that turns purple when the skin underneath is infected. *Photo courtesy of Fraunhofer EMFT
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A prototype of the dressing has already been produced and initial tests have proved successful. The researchers are now thinking about how to develop their innovation further. There are plans to integrate optical sensor modules into the dressing to measure the pH value and indicate the results on a reader unit. This method would allow the value to be read off precisely, providing information about how the wound is healing. At present Trupp and her team are looking for an industrial partner to produce the dressing commercially.
Although the indicator dye currently is being developed for bandage application, perhaps it has other applications in personal care where infections are present or where indication of a skin pH change is useful.