Bioresorbable, wireless, and battery-free system for electrotherapy and impedance sensing at wound sites

Chronic wounds, particularly those associated with diabetes mellitus, represent a growing threat to public health, with additional notable economic impacts. Inflammation associated with these wounds leads to abnormalities in endogenous electrical signals that impede the migration of keratinocytes needed to support the healing process. This observation motivates the treatment of chronic wounds with electrical stimulation therapy, but practical engineering challenges, difficulties in removing stimulation hardware from the wound site, and absence of means to monitor the healing process create barriers to widespread clinical use. Here, we demonstrate a miniaturized wireless, battery-free bioresorbable electrotherapy system that overcomes these challenges. Studies based on a splinted diabetic mouse wound model confirm the efficacy for accelerated wound closure by guiding epithelial migration, modulating inflammation, and promoting vasculogenesis. Changes in the impedance provide means for tracking the healing process. The results demonstrate a simple and effective platform for wound site electrotherapy.

Automated summary

Chronic wounds, especially those related to diabetes, pose a growing threat to public health and have significant economic impacts. Inflammation in these wounds disrupts the natural electrical signals that aid in healing, leading to slow migration of keratinocytes. This study presents a wireless, battery-free bioresorbable electrotherapy system that successfully overcomes practical engineering challenges and lack of monitoring capabilities. The system promotes accelerated wound closure by guiding epithelial migration, modulating inflammation, and promoting vasculogenesis, as demonstrated in a diabetic mouse wound model. Changes in impedance provide a means to track the healing process.