British university wants to test bandages with small sensors and 5g within a year

The British Swansea University wants to be able to do a test within a year with a bandage that uses sensors to monitor how the wound heals under the bandage and transmit that information via a 5G network. This should reduce unnecessary dressing changes.

The bandage also needs to connect to a phone to transmit data about a patient’s physical condition and activity, a Swansea University professor told the BBC.

Much remains to be done before the test can take place. Scientists must further develop the necessary small sensors and reduce production costs, for example by being able to 3D print the parts. In addition, the city of Swansea must get the so-called 5G Hub online on time.

5G allows lower latency communications than 4G, although the smart connection technology does not appear to be necessary. A bluetooth connection to the phone transmitting the data would suffice, although the connection could also have its own 2G connection or connection to a low-power network.