As says the Singapore Straits Times, "it's clear how this bandage works."
A transparent adhesive bandage, or plaster, which protects a wound while allowing air and moisture to circulate so that it heals faster, tops the list of innovations made by one of the newest research institutes here.
Made of a special polymer membrane, the protective strip also allows doctors to see how the wound is healing, so that they know exactly when it can be removed.
Developed by researchers at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, the material is also heat-sensitive -- sticking to the warm skin of the body, but peeling off easily when touched by cold water.
Look at this picture to see how -- theoretically -- this nanostructured bandage peels off easily when it comes into contact with cold water (Credit: Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore Straits Times).
In addition, the membrane can be pumped with anti-bacterial agents to help the wound heal faster, said researchers.
And when will be able to purchase these bandages in our local drugstores? Only in two years, mainly because of regulations.
The head of the institute, Professor Jackie Ying, 37, said that because the product was used externally, it would not be subject to the stringent approval process of oral drugs.
For more information, please read the introduction to this research project, "Nanostructured Temperature-Sensitive Membranes for Wound Healing" by Wang Li Shan and Yang Yi Yan. Here is a quote.
We have developed transparent nanostructured polymeric membranes by a modified microemulsion polymerization method, which shows temperature-dependent swelling properties. Compared to other systems, these membranes can swell to a higher degree at a lower temperature. This increased extent of swelling might lead to a decrease in adhesive property, thus making the membrane removal from the skin easier and less painful.
Source: Chang Ai-Lien, Singapore Straits Times, September 20, 2003
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