Multifunctional nanofiber system with photothermal-controlled drug delivery and motion monitoring capabilities as intelligent wound dressing
Abstract
Wound healing in highly active areas presents significant challenges due to mechanical stress and continuous skin stretching, increasing the risk of secondary injuries and delayed recovery. Traditional wound dressings primarily focus on exudate absorption and physical protection, but lack controllable drug release and multifunctionality, reducing their effectiveness in modern wound care. To address these limitations, we developed an intelligent wound dressing (TPU@LM@CUR) that combines photothermal-controlled drug release and real-time motion monitoring capabilities. The dressing was developed by embedding a liquid metal (LM) layer within a double-layer electrospun thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofiber membrane, combined with curcumin (CUR)-loaded lauric acid (LA) nanoparticles prepared by electrostatic spray deposition. The photothermal properties of LM enable controlled release of CUR under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, while the integrated flexible strain sensor, constructed with Peano-structured LM patterns, allows for continuous monitoring of wound movement, providing critical feedback to avoid further injury. The wound dressing demonstrated excellent mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, and breathability, while also enabling photothermal-controlled drug release. Its outstanding biocompatibility, along with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, further enhanced its therapeutic potential. In terms of sensing performance, the dressing exhibited maximal tensile capability (490.0?%), high sensitivity(GF = 1.23) and durability(>3600?s). Human motion tracking experiments confirmed its reliability in motion sensing, and in vivo tests with Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats validated both its effectiveness in promoting wound healing and its ability to monitor wound activity. This novel dressing presents a multifunctional solution for enhanced wound management, particularly in dynamic environments, enabling precise therapeutic interventions.