Flusitex bandage


Overview

A "glowing" bandage that lets caregivers monitor the healing progress of wounds, from the outside. Known as Flusitex (Fluorescence sensing integrated into medical textiles). 

When a wound is healing normally, the pH of its fluids initially rises to 8, before settling down to 5 or 6. Should it become chronic, however, the pH fluctuates between 7 and 8. The bandage incorporates custom-made molecules composed of benzalkonium chloride and pyranine. These fluoresce when exposed to pH levels of around 7.5 – the chronic wound "sweet spot." In order to see that fluorescence, clinicians just need to shine an ultraviolet light on the dressing. They can then leave the dressing in place if normal healing is indicated.

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Ian Seed
Author: Ian Seed
Created: 2017-07-04 Modified: 2020-07-03
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