Researchers at University of Victoria in Canada have developed a wound dressing that detects the first sign of infection and is more than just a Band-Aid solution.

The study concluded that the combined pH-sensitive GelDerm wound dressing, which changes colour in the presence of bacteria was as effective as comparable commercially available systems for detecting bacterial infections.

Right now, the bandage begins to sterilize the wound as soon as it is applied, even if its sensors have not detected an infection.

In the future, the researchers envision a smarter system where patients can send their images of the GelDerm bandage to health care professions, indicating the start of an infection.

Then the timed release of antibiotic treatment would be initiated automatically without even removing the dressing.