In-situ Visual Wound Monitoring Strategies Based on Hydrogel Materials

Abstract

Chronic wounds presents a significant global health issue, imposing substantial economic and social burdens. However, timely and accurate assessment of wound healing remains a significant challenge in current wound management. This limitation consequently compromises the capacity to deliver effective clinical wound care, thereby hindering the achievement of optimal patient outcomes. With the advancements of hydrogels, in-situ visual wound monitoring strategies have been developed and innovated with the ability of personalized care through superior biocompatibility and customizable functionalization. By integrating in-situ visual monitoring functions, these hydrogel dressings enable realtime assessment of wound healing progression, paving the way for timely and targeted therapeutic interventions. This review summarizes and discusses recent advancements in hydrogel-based in-situ visual monitoring strategies for wound healing. It primarily focuses on four key parameters, including pH values, glucose concentrations, ROS levels, and bacteria products. Following this, various colorimetric approaches for wound monitoring are described below, supported by recent examples. Additionally, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of multi-parameter strategies for wound monitoring. At last, it discusses current challenges and future directions for hydrogel dressings in wound monitoring.