Work package 3

Possibilities to both further improve the properties wound dressings is of large interest. The microenvironment in non-healing wounds is characterized by infection and biofilm formation, reduced angiogenesis, decrease in growth factors, and a self-sustaining proinflammatory response. Rapid and cost-effective technologies for assessing and predicting wound healing status can enable a more efficient and appropriate treatment, reducing healing time and overuse of antibiotics. Embedded sensors can provide direct feedback on the effect of the treatment and enable informed decisions on continued wound treatment, including need for antibiotics or antimicrobial dressings. With the objective to enable more quantitative and non-invasive wound diagnostics, studies in work package 3 aim to develop means to introduce sensor functionalities in dressings developed in work package 2.

References

• Dargaville, TR, et al. Sensors and imaging for wound healing: A review Biosens Bioelectron, 2013. 41
• Serena, TE, et al., Defining a new diagnostic assessment parameter for wound care: Elevated protease activity, an indicator of nonhealing, for targeted protease-modulating treatment. Wound Repair Regen, 2016. 24(3).