The pH-Sensitive Optical Fiber Integrated CMCS-PA@Fe Hydrogels for Photothermal Therapy and Real-Time Monitoring of Infected Wounds

Bacterial infections are one of the biggest threats to wound healing. Despite significant efforts in wound condition monitoring and treatment, significant challenges remain in real-time wound monitoring and timely treatment. Herein, a kind of hydrogel with dual functions, which can not only quickly diagnose wound bacterial infection but also provide timely and effective treatment is developed. First, Carborxymethy chitosan (CMCS)-Protocatechualdehyde (PA)@Fe hydrogels with double dynamic bonds are prepared by chelating PA@Fe with CMCS. Second, the pH-sensitive Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) optical fibers are integrated into the CMCS-PA@Fe hydrogels to obtain the pH-sensitive optical fiber/CMCS-PA@Fe hydrogels that exhibit good real-time monitoring of the wound healing process. The tissue adhesion and self-healing properties of the pH-sensitive optical fiber/CMCS-PA@Fe hydrogels can adapt to the movement and stretching of the skin. Meanwhile, with the assistance of the photothermal effect, the hydrogels have a high antibacterial effect (>99.9%). In addition, the pH-sensitive optical fiber/CMCS-PA@Fe hydrogels also show an excellent therapeutic effect in the wound infection model. Moreover, reliable and timely wound pH information can be sent to intelligent devices through microcomputers to monitor the healing status. Overall, the pH-sensitive optical fiber/CMCS-PA@Fe hydrogels provide an entirely new platform for developing smart, real-time diagnostics and timely wound treatment.

Automated summary

A dual-functional hydrogel with pH-sensitive optical fibers is developed for real-time wound monitoring and treatment of bacterial infections. The hydrogel exhibits good adhesion and self-healing properties, as well as a high antibacterial effect. It also provides reliable pH information to intelligent devices for monitoring the healing status.