Versatile poly (deep eutectic solvents) electroactive chitosan eutectogel for infected wound healing and monitoring administration

Abstract

The treatment and monitoring of infected skin wounds present significant clinical challenges. Herein, a multifunctional poly(deep eutectic solvent) (PDES) electroactive hydrogel is developed by optimizing the components and the ratio of hydrogen donors and acceptors, achieving well wound hemostasis, wound healing, and monitoring administration performace. The PDES hydrogel dressing exhibits mechanical properties, including high toughness, fatigue resistance (over 9000 compression cycles), and superior skin adhesion (over 70 kPa). It also demonstrates good conductivity (~2.0 S/m) and a high signal-to-noise ratio (>7000:1), enabling its application as a flexible strain biosensor to monitor wound contraction signals during healing. The PDES hydrogel shows remarkable antibacterial performance (up to 99 %) and blood compatibility, achieving rapid hemostasis (within 15 s) and reducing blood loss (36 mg). Additionally, the PDES hydrogel effectively prevents skin wound infections, enhances collagen deposition, and facilitates microvascular reconstruction at the wound site, significantly improving infected wound healing (in 12 days). Consequently, this PDES hydrogel, with its superior mechanical properties, flexible sensing capabilities, and antibacterial features, is an ideal candidate for wound healing and monitoring administration.