American scientists have created an electronic patch that uses delicate electrical impulses to fight dangerous bacteria on the skin.
In a world where bacteria are increasingly resisting antibiotics, the new invention called BLAST
At the first stage of the research, the scientists tested the device on pig skin — it most closely resembles human skin in its structure. The object of the experiment was the bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis. These microorganisms normally protect our skin from harmful germs, but if they enter the body through medical catheters or other devices, they can cause serious infections.
Scientists have discovered an interesting feature: under the influence of electric current, bacteria lose the ability to create biofilms — slippery protective layers that help them colonize body surfaces. To enhance the effect, the researchers added a special hydrogel to the patch that maintains the right level of skin acidity.
Every ten minutes for 18 hours, the device delivered ten-second electrical pulses of 1.5 volts — about the same as in a pacemaker. The results impressed even the researchers themselves: the number of bacteria decreased tenfold compared to control samples.
«If the tests show the same results on the skin of live animals and humans, this device will help prevent bacterial infections without the need for preventive antibiotics. And in five years, BLAST will be available in hospitals», — said Live Science co-author of the study, Bozhi Tian, professor of chemistry at the University of Chicago (USA).
Currently, the scientists plan to test BLAST on other types of bacteria and conduct trials with living organisms before moving on to clinical trials with humans.
The results of the study are published in the journal Device.
Source: Livescience