Flexible patch with printable and antibacterial conductive hydrogel electrodes for accelerated wound healing

Canran Wang, Xing Jiang, Han Jun Kim, Shiming Zhang, Xingwu Zhou, Yi Chen, Haonan Ling, Yumeng Xue, Zhaowei Chen, Moyuan Qu, Li Ren, Jixiang Zhu, Alberto Libanori, Yangzhi Zhu, Heemin Kang, Samad Ahadian, Mehmet R. Dokmeci, Peyman Servati, Ximin He, Zhen GuWujin Sun, Ali Khademhosseini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Electrical stimulation can facilitate wound healing with high efficiency and limited side effects. However, current electrical stimulation devices have poor conformability with wounds due to their bulky nature and the rigidity of electrodes utilized. Here, a flexible electrical patch (ePatch) made with conductive hydrogel as electrodes to improve wound management was reported. The conductive hydrogel was synthesized using silver nanowire (AgNW) and methacrylated alginate (MAA), with the former chosen as the electrode material considering its antibacterial properties, and the latter used due to its clinical suitability in wound healing. The composition of the hydrogel was optimized to enable printing on medical-grade patches for personalized wound treatment. The ePatch was shown to promote re-epithelization, enhance angiogenesis, mediate immune response, and prevent infection development in the wound microenvironment. In vitro studies indicated an elevated secretion of growth factors with enhanced cell proliferation and migration ability in response to electrical stimulation. An in vivo study in the Sprague-Dawley rat model revealed a rapid wound closure within 7 days compared to 20 days of usual healing process in rodents.

Original languageEnglish
Article number121479
JournalBiomaterials
Volume285
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022 Jun

Keywords

  • Antibacteria
  • Conductive hydrogel
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Wearable device
  • Wound healing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Biophysics
  • Biomaterials
  • Mechanics of Materials

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