DermalECG: Multifunctional Organohydrogel for Real-Time ECG Monitoring and Wound Healing on Burned Skin.

Abstract

Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring is vital for the early detection of cardiovascular diseases. However, conventional electrodes are unsafe for recording ECG signals on thermally damaged skin, making it difficult to assess heart rate and other vital signs in burn patients. Therefore, this study presents a multifunctional organohydrogel-based DermalECG electrode, synthesized via a freeze-thaw process that integrates tannic acid, carboxymethyl chitosan, and galinstan liquid metal into a polyvinyl alcohol network. The DermalECG electrode exhibits exceptional biocompatibility, high electrical conductivity (1.80 S/m), remarkable mechanical strength (up to 818% strain), self-adhesion (<20 kPa), and environmental stability (-20°C-50°C). Leveraging these characteristics, it consistently records ECG signals from various skin conditions, especially burned skin and at extreme temperatures, with a high signal-to-noise ratio of ∼33 dB. As a multifunctional capability, this electrode not only monitors ECG from the burned skin but also actively accelerates burn wound healing. With fast wound healing, we achieve an 87.39% wound closure ratio within a remarkably short period of 10 days. Consequently, the unique combination of properties and functionalities of the DermalECG electrode is poised to play a significant role in advancing ECG electrodes for long-term and continuous healthcare monitoring.