NIT Rourkela Develops Smart Wound Dressing That Reduces Pain and Speeds Up Healing

NIT Rourkela researchers have developed affordable smart wound dressing that reduces pain, prevents infections and promotes faster healing.

NIT Rourkela Develops Smart Wound Dressing

NIT Rourkela Updates: Researchers at National Institute of Technology Rourkela have developed a smart wound dressing that helps prevent infections, reduces pain during dressing changes and supports faster healing. This new dressing has been developed by Prof. Prasoon Kumar, Assistant Professor in Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering. It is made to solve common problem faced by patients who need frequent dressing changes, as traditional bandages often stick to wounds and cause pain when removed.

What Is Problem with Regular Cotton Gauze?

Cotton gauze is most commonly used material for wound dressing because it is affordable, easy to use and absorbs blood and wound fluids well. Also, regular cotton gauze cannot prevent infections and often sticks to the wound. When dressing is removed, it can damage newly formed skin.

How Does NIT Rourkela Smart Dressing Work?

NIT Rourkela team has developed smart cotton gauze dressing with a special nanofibrous layer placed between wound and cotton gauze. The nanofibrous layer contains curcumin, a natural compound known for its antibacterial properties. This layer slowly releases curcumin into  wound. It also prevents gauze from sticking directly to wound, reducing pain.

According to Prof. Prasoon Kumar, laboratory tests showed that smart dressing significantly reduces wound adhesion compared to ordinary cotton gauze. He said slow release of curcumin provides continuous antibacterial protection and nanofibrous layer supports cell growth and tissue regeneration.

Prof. Kumar also said smart dressing has been designed to be affordable. A regular cotton gauze bandage roll (10 cm × 4 m) costs around INR 30 and new smart bandage of the same size is expected to cost around INR 50 to 60 when produced on commercial scale.