A groundbreaking study spearheaded by BestHealth4U and leading Portuguese healthcare institutions, has resulted in developing a sustainable bioactive dressing to monitor diabetic foot wounds in their early stages. This pioneering innovation will be presented at the upcoming ASC Sustainability Summit 2024.
Funded by the European Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), this project was conducted under the Health from Portugal (HfPT) initiative (C644937233-00000047). The advanced system, developed in collaboration with the Portuguese Wound Association (APTFeridas) and São João Hospital in Porto, incorporates chromic sensors into a bioactive dressing. This innovative dressing is designed to detect infections and manage exudates, reducing complications related to diabetic foot ulcers, a condition affecting millions globally.
The dressing’s sensors use color-changing technology to monitor pH levels, allowing early detection of infection. Initial trials on two different exudates demonstrated promising results. While exudate with blood showed no color change, the dressing interacting with brown/yellow exudate showed a quick color shift in less than five minutes, reflecting potential infection risks. Additionally, after 72 hours, the sensors maintained their function, with no visible signs of bacterial or fungal growth, underscoring the dressing’s stability and effectiveness.
This innovative dressing offers a sustainable solution to wound care. It combines hydrogels, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and thermochromic sensors to provide an eco-friendly, efficient way to manage diabetic foot ulcers, ultimately improving patients’ quality of life.
The dressing’s potential impact represents a significant step toward more sustainable and effective wound care management, particularly for diabetic patients and BestHealth4U’s goal is to improve early detection and treatment outcomes while maintaining environmental sustainability.
The findings will be formally presented at the ASC Sustainability Summit 2024, which will showcase the intersection of healthcare innovation and environmental responsibility. This global platform will highlight the dressing’s potential to revolutionize wound care while promoting sustainable medical practices.
About BestHealth4U
BestHealth4U is a leading innovator in advanced healthcare solutions, committed to developing sustainable and effective medical devices. Based in Braga, Portugal, the company focuses on improving patient outcomes through cutting-edge research and partnerships with top healthcare institutions.
This press release is part of the company’s continued efforts to share its research and advancements in medical technology, especially those achieved under the HfP initiative (C644937233-00000047), funded by the European Recovery and Resilience Plan, with the broader healthcare community.
