Extracellular Matrix-Guided Hierarchical Assembly of Self-Powered Patches for Stress Relaxing, Wireless Monitoring, and Accelerated Healing of Pressure Ulcers.

Abstract

Pressure ulcers are substantial contributors to mortality in immobilized or bedbound patient populations, characterized by elevated morbidity rates, multifaceted therapeutic challenges, and high recurrence rates. Nevertheless, existing clinical paradigms for pressure ulcers lack a systematic approach to pathology management, encompassing wound repair, pressure redistribution, and biophysical monitoring. This study underscores an extracellular matrix (ECM) guided design for real-time monitoring and timely interventions in pressure ulcers. A conductive hydrogel network is first intertwined with an elastic sponge, referencing the ECM architecture, to form a moisturizing and bioadhesive dressing. The conductive dressing is assembled with commercial band-aid and gauze into laminated patches. The hierarchical assembly offers a broad stress response range and low hysteresis, resulting in exceptional sensitivity and linearity in self-powered pressure sensing. The patch is endowed with commendable breathability and good antimicrobial properties, which synergistically enhance the therapeutic outcomes. Moreover, the biocompatible patches can not only activate calcium ion channels and guide cell proliferation via a stable, continuous electrical stimulation pathway, but also provide alerts for pressure ulcers by detecting electrical signals from multiple predilection sites. This study represents a full-cycle management strategy for pressure ulcers, encompassing the collection of physiological data and the repair of tissue damage.