Wearable Bioelectronics for Chronic Wound Management

Abstract

Chronic wounds are a major healthcare issue and can adversely affect the lives of millions of patients around the world. The current wound management strategies have limited clinical efficacy due to labor-intensive lab analysis requirements, need for clinicians' experiences, long-term and frequent interventions, limiting therapeutic efficiency and applicability. The growing field of flexible bioelectronics enables a great potential for personalized wound care owing to its advantages such as wearability, low-cost, and rapid and simple application. Herein, recent advances in the development of wearable bioelectronics for monitoring and management of chronic wounds are comprehensively reviewed. First, the design principles and the key features of bioelectronics that can adapt to the unique wound milieu features are introduced. Next, the current state of wound biosensors and on-demand therapeutic systems are summarized and highlighted. Furthermore, the design criteria of the integrated closed loop devices are discussed. Finally, the future perspectives and challenges in wearable bioelectronics for wound care are discussed.

Flexible Sensors Based on Conductive Polymers

“…Flexible sensors have been attracting great attention due to their potential to be used as wearable chemical sensors [23,24] in the fields of sports [25,26] and health [27], medicine and occupational safety [28]. Hazard identification by monitoring in real-time the body status and the surrounding environment, allows for fast response in order to take countermeasure against potential damage [29][30][31].…”

Flexible patch with printable and antibacterial conductive hydrogel electrodes for accelerated wound healing

“…The promoted tissue remodeling outcome suggested a reduced degree of scar tissue formation. Compared to other AgNW-based wearable electric devices that are interfacing with healthy surface skin and/or rely on long-term and intricate fabrication process [77][78][79][80], our ePatch can exploit double-crosslinked network and materials properties to yield stability in wound environment, efficiency (simple and minimal steps for patterning), and efficacy in accelerating wound healing. Our portable ePatch holds great promise to lower adverse impact from foreign implants as well, offering a new approach to assist wound treatment.…”

Healable, Recyclable, and Multifunctional Soft Electronics Based on Biopolymer Hydrogel and Patterned Liquid Metal

“…The HSE with both detection and treatment abilities should find applications as smart wound dressing. [46]…”