Dual-Layer Flexible Liquid Metal Fiber for Plantar Pressure Monitoring and Synchronous Wound Electrotherapy.

Abstract

Plantar wounds, particularly diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), impose significant burdens on patients' quality of life and healthcare systems. Personalized wound management demands real-time monitoring of biomechanical parameters and effective therapeutic interventions to prevent exacerbations. Here, a dual-layer flexible liquid metal fiber (LMF) capable of simultaneous plantar pressure sensing and electrical stimulation for accelerated wound healing is presented. The fiber features an LM-filled core that transduces mechanical deformation into resistance changes for pressure mapping, while its LM-copper (LM-Cu) alloy coating delivers programmable electrical stimulation to mimic endogenous bioelectric fields. In a murine infected wound model, the device significantly enhances wound closure by promoting epithelial migration, modulating inflammation, and stimulating angiogenesis. Integrated with Bluetooth-enabled wireless transmission and a smartphone interface, the system provides real-time plantar pressure visualization, threshold-based alerts, and on-demand electrotherapy. This multifunctional fiber offers a compact, wearable solution for holistic diabetic foot care, bridging the gap between diagnostic monitoring and therapeutic intervention.