Current status, challenges, and prospects of artificial intelligence applications in wound repair theranostics.

Abstract

Skin injuries caused by physical, pathological, and chemical factors not only compromise appearance and barrier function but can also lead to life-threatening microbial infections, posing significant challenges for patients and healthcare systems. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has demonstrated substantial advantages in processing and analyzing image information. Recently, AI-based methods and algorithms, including machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks, have been extensively explored in wound care and research, providing effective clinical decision support for wound diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and rehabilitation. However, challenges remain in achieving a closed-loop care system for the comprehensive application of AI in wound management, encompassing wound diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advancements in AI applications in wound repair. Specifically, it discusses AI's role in injury type classification, wound measurement (including area and depth), wound tissue type classification, wound monitoring and prediction, and personalized treatment. Additionally, the review addresses the challenges and limitations AI faces in wound management. Finally, recommendations for the application of AI in wound repair are proposed, along with an outlook on future research directions, aiming to provide scientific evidence and technological support for further advancements in AI-driven wound repair theranostics.