Multifunctional Sutures with Temperature Sensing and Infection Control

Abstract

The next‐generation sutures should provide in situ monitoring of wound condition such as temperature while reducing surgical site infection during wound closure. In this study, functionalized nanodiamond (FND) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) into biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) are incorporated to develop a new multifunctional suture with such capabilities. Incorporation of FND and rGO into PCL enhances its tensile strength by about 43% and toughness by 35%. The sutures show temperature sensing capability in the range of 25–40 °C based on the shift in zero‐splitting frequency of the nitrogen‐vacancy (NV–) centers in FND via optically detected magnetic resonance, paving the way for potential detection of infection or excessive inflammation in healing wounds. The suture surface readily coats with antibiotics to reduce bacterial infection risk to the wounds. The new suture thus is promising in monitoring and supporting wound closure.

Nanodiamonds in biomedical research: Therapeutic applications and beyond

“…Notwithstanding these advances, additional approaches have still sought to leverage ND conjugates that enhance biocompatibility and performance of existing wound treatments, such as polypropylene (hernia) mesh ( 94 , 117 ), and next-generation sutures with temperature sensing and antibiotic properties ( 118 ). In a particularly novel approach, Neuhoferova et al (2017) developed a biocompatible wound dressing that delivers locally controlled release of siRNA targeting MMP-9 from a scaffold of degradable nanofibers.…”