Reshaping the Endogenous Electric Field to Boost Wound Repair via Electrogenerative Dressing

Abstract

The endogenous electric field (EF) generated by transepithelial potential difference plays a decisive role in wound reepithelialization. For patients with large or chronic wounds, negative‐pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is the most effective clinical method in inflammation control by continuously removing the necrotic tissues or infected substances, thus creating a proproliferative microenvironment beneficial for wound reepithelialization. However, continuous negative‐pressure drainage causes electrolyte loss and weakens the endogenous EF, which in turn hinders wound reepithelialization. Here, an electrogenerative dressing (EGD) is developed by integrating triboelectric nanogenerators with NPWT. By converting the negative‐pressure‐induced mechanical deformation into electricity, EGD produces a stable and high‐safety EF that can trigger a robust epithelial electrotactic response and drive the macrophages toward a reparative M2 phenotype in vitro. Translational medicine studies confirm that EGD completely reshapes the wound EF weakened by NPWT, and promotes wound closure by facilitating an earlier transition of inflammation/proliferation and guiding epithelial migration and proliferation to accelerate reepithelialization. Long‐term EGD therapy remarkably advances tissue remodeling with mature epithelium, orderly extracellular matrix, and less scar formation. Compared with the golden standard of NPWT, EGD orchestrates all the essential wound stages in a noninvasive manner, presenting an excellent prospect in clinical wound therapy.

Blood‐Glucose‐Powered Metabolic Fuel Cell for Self‐Sufficient Bioelectronics

“…[36,[49][50][51] The recent development of biomolecular sensors and designer cells processing and transmitting physiological information to electronic devices as well as electronic devices programming cellular release of biopharmaceuticals in response to light, [17] or direct electrical fields, [7,21,52] has led to the establishment of electro-genetic interfaces that enable reversible communication between biology and electronics, [36,53] sparking visions of novel treatments based on bioelectronic implants. [54,55] No matter whether such bioelectronic devices and implants use light as the middle-man for electro-genetic control, [7,17,18] or direct electro-genetic interfaces based on electrical fields, [21] they all require substantial electrical energy to support monitoring, processing, and communication. [32] Therefore, currently available bioelectronic implants cannot be operated on battery power, but require wired, [18] or wireless power, [6,7] for continuous operation, which limits selfsufficiency, reliability, and patient convenience.…”

Filler‐Enhanced Piezoelectricity of Poly‐L‐Lactide and Its Use as a Functional Ultrasound‐Activated Biomaterial

“…An evident increase in PLLA piezoelectricity induced by a small quantity of fillers (Figure 4) was able to shift the voltage outcome of PLLA films after mechanical deformation with US to the range that corresponds to the endogenous potential (150-1200 mV) [44,51] required for wound healing. The selection of US frequency used for film deformation had important role to their response.…”

Advances in Bioresorbable Triboelectric Nanogenerators

“…TENGs have been highlighted as innovative energy supply systems with low power and flexibility in the form of wearable or implantable medical devices to address the poor portability of conventional bulky electrotherapy equipment and power sources. 423 B-TENGs, being eco-friendly and implantable, are well-suited to wound care and planetary considerations. Their unique properties enable a continuous electrical stimulation source that facilitates faster wound healing without causing any adverse environmental impacts.…”

“…Since the first measurement of wound current by Emil Du-Bois Reymond over a century ago, successive research has verified that this internal electric field is present in a range of animals, and electrical therapy might effectively achieve synergistic wound healing by reshaping or intervening in the electric field. , It is vital for epithelialization, as it directs the movement of key electroactive cells, like epithelial cells, during wound repair. TENGs have been highlighted as innovative energy supply systems with low power and flexibility in the form of wearable or implantable medical devices to address the poor portability of conventional bulky electrotherapy equipment and power sources . B-TENGs, being eco-friendly and implantable, are well-suited to wound care and planetary considerations.…”