The cost of chronic wounds is estimated in the UK to be £2.6 billion per annum, with 200,000 patients at any one time having a chronic wound (Posnett and Franks, 2005). The nursing time involved in dressing changes takes up a considerable amount of this cost. A major advance would be to monitor the moisture level at the wound bed while leaving the dressing undisturbed, with changes taking place only when necessary. An initial study of 15 patients with venous leg ulcers demonstrated the effectiveness of a new sensor to monitor moisture levels at the wound bed