Scientists Create Color Changing Dressing That Reacts To Infections

Credit: Fraunhofer EMFT

Scientists from the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Modular Solid State Technologies EMFT in Munich have developed a special indicator dye dressing that can change colors in the presence of infection.

Say goodbye to the days when doctors had to painfully rip bandages off the skin to check the health of a wound. This dressing would enable doctors to see infections without having to change a bandage, which is not only painful sometimes, but could let germs enter the wound.

The dressing reacts to elevated pH values and will change colors (from yellow to purple) when pH values get too high. A healthy wound normally has a pH value of 5 or less. If the pH rises above that, an infection could be present and the dressing will turn purple. ( Note: pH  is a measurement of acidity or basicity of a solution.)

“If the pH value is between 6.5 and 8.5 an infection is frequently present and the indicator color strip turns purple, “ explains Dr. Sabine Trupp, one of the scientists involved.

With a successful prototype of the dressing already made, the scientists plan to start additional testing at University of Regensburg's dermatology clinic in Germany. They are also looking to find partners to help them distribute the dressing, commercially.
[Gizmag, EMFT]

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