pH-responsive materials for optical monitoring of wound status

The monitoring of infection status of wounds is an emerging field and the pH of wound exudate is considered one potential indicator of infection. pH indicators intended for use in medical devices, such as swabs or dressings, need to be fixed in place, however, visual pH indicators are usually soluble molecules so are not inherently suitable for use in devices. To address this, we developed a rapid and simple immobilisation method for coupling pH-responsive dyes onto solid phases. The use of a silane based coupling agent for immobilisation of bromocresol purple led to a shift in the pH dependent spectral properties of the resulting material. The pH responsive material changes from yellow to green to blue with rising pH providing an ideal contrast to the reddish colour of most wound exudates. This is a key advantage over currently available alternatives when considering the suitability of this material for incorporation into various medical devices. In addition, we analysed clinical study samples to verify the association between wound infection and elevated pH-values. A device with an embedded indicator that changes to a contrast colour could represent a simple and easy-to-use system for detecting wounds at risk of infection.