Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Conductive hydrogel dressings integrate monitoring and therapeutic functions, leveraging endogenous electrical stimulation to promote healing of refractory wounds. • The review details material selection for conductive hydrogels, including conductive polymers and inorganic nanoparticles, and their role in wound monitoring. • AI models applied to sensor-derived data enable non-invasive, real-time prediction and optimization of wound healing trajectories. • Specific applications for pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and articular wounds highlight the clinical potential and current challenges of these smart dressings.
Abstract
Refractory wounds cause significant harm to the health of patients and the most common treatments in clinical practice are surgical debridement and wound dressings. However, certain challenges, including surgical difficulty, lengthy recovery times, and a high recurrence rate persist. Conductive hydrogel dressings with combined monitoring and therapeutic properties have strong advantages in promoting wound healing due to the stimulation of endogenous current on wounds and are the focus of recent advancements. Therefore, this review introduces the mechanism of conductive hydrogel used for wound monitoring and healing, the materials selection of conductive hydrogel dressings used for wound monitoring, focuses on the conductive hydrogel sensor to monitor the output categories of wound status signals, proving invaluable for non-invasive, real-time evaluation of wound condition to encourage wound healing. Notably, the research of artificial intelligence (AI) model based on sensor derived data to predict the wound healing state, AI makes use of this abundant data set to forecast and optimize the trajectory of tissue regeneration and assess the stage of wound healing. Finally, refractory wounds including pressure ulcers, diabetes ulcers and articular wounds, and the corresponding wound monitoring and healing process are discussed in detail. This manuscript supports the growth of clinically linked disciplines and offers motivation to researchers working in the multidisciplinary field of conductive hydrogel dressings.
1. Introduction
Refractory wounds refer to wounds with multiple and complex injury factors, slow healing, and no obvious tendency to heal after treatment for 4 weeks [1]. Pressure ulcers, diabetes ulcers, articular wounds, burns and ischemic ulcers are typical manifestations of chronic refractory diseases. Age-related articular tissue degradation, systemic disease effects (diabetic hyperglycemia toxicity, long-term nutritional deficiency in bed), inadequate infection control (multidrug-resistant bacteria and biofilm formation), treatment methods and management flaws (poor dressing selection or patient compliance), and local microenvironment imbalance (ischemia, hypoxia and chronic inflammation) are some of the factors that contribute to the difficulty of healing refractory wounds [2].
These conditions disrupt the normal wound-healing process, leading to delayed healing and various complications including infections. Moreover, they heighten the risk of multiple diseases stemming from large-vessel and microvascular injuries. The adverse effects of these diseases are not confined to the wound site, they can also have a detrimental impact on multiple vital organs, such as the heart, brain, kidneys, eyes, and more [3, 4]. Patients have experienced severe outcomes from this kind of wound, which has presented a significant financial load and difficulty for the hospital system as well as society [5]. Conventional wound dressings, for instance, gauze, cotton, and hemostatic sponge, may stick to the site tightly while being used, increasing discomfort and bleeding and perhaps causing secondary wound damage. In recent years, hydrogels have become more popular as wound dressings. Their exceptional hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, and resemblance to the extracellular matrix (ECM) all contribute to their suitability for wound care.
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Yumo She, He Liu, Hailiang Yuan, Yiqi Li, Xunjie Liu, Ruonan Liu, Mengyao Wang, Tingting Wang, Lina Wang, Meihan Liu, Wenyu Wan, Ye Tian, Kai Zhang (2025). Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Conductive Hydrogel Dressings for Refractory Wounds Monitoring. Nano-Micro Letters. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01834-w
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are refractory wounds?
Refractory wounds are chronic wounds that fail to heal after 4 weeks of standard treatment, often due to factors like infection, ischemia, or systemic diseases. Examples include pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and articular wounds.
How do conductive hydrogel dressings work?
These dressings combine conductive materials with hydrogel matrices to provide electrical stimulation that mimics endogenous currents, promoting cell migration, proliferation, and wound healing. They also enable real-time monitoring of wound status through electrical signals.
What role does artificial intelligence play in wound monitoring?
AI models analyze sensor-derived data from conductive hydrogel dressings to predict wound healing trajectories, assess healing stages, and optimize treatment plans, enabling non-invasive and personalized wound management.
What are the key materials used in conductive hydrogels?
Conductive polymers (e.g., polypyrrole, PEDOT:PSS) and inorganic nanoparticles (e.g., silver, gold, carbon nanotubes) are commonly used to impart electrical conductivity while maintaining biocompatibility and flexibility.
What are the challenges in using conductive hydrogel dressings?
Challenges include ensuring long-term stability, biocompatibility, and adhesion, as well as integrating sensors and AI algorithms for reliable clinical use. Additionally, cost and scalability remain hurdles for widespread adoption.
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