A self-regulating wearable OLED patch for accelerated wound healing via photobiomodulation-triggered drug delivery

Abstract

The development of therapies that dynamically respond to the wound microenvironment is essential to overcome the limitations of conventional monotherapies. We present a wearable patch that self-regulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) to accelerate wound healing. This flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) patch conforms to the wound, delivering narrow 630 nm peak light at an irradiance of 5 mW cm⁻² for photobiomodulation (PBM). The patch activates healing directly via PBM, and the consequently induced ROS serve as a therapeutic trigger. This ROS trigger stimulates ROS-responsive nanoparticles to release antioxidant drugs, which neutralize excess ROS. We confirmed a dose-dependent additive effect across 2–8 J cm⁻², with 6 J cm⁻² being the most effective. This combination therapy significantly accelerated wound closure and promoted superior tissue regeneration, including robust skin barrier reconstruction and mature vessel stabilization. This OLED patch introduces a next-generation phototherapy, transforming signals into therapeutic triggers for advanced combination treatments.