e‐Bandage: Exploiting Smartphone as a Therapeutic Device for Cutaneous Wound Treatment

Abstract

Near‐infrared (NIR) radiation has demonstrated significant promise in skin tissue engineering and wound healing. However, the high cost and operational complexity associated with current specialized apparatuses have hindered their practical household use. In response to these issues, a flexible, battery‐free, wireless sensor–actuator NIR therapy system, offering real‐time physiological monitoring and active treatment to cutaneous wounds, is developed. The wound management system can be wirelessly powered, and transmits data to any near‐field communication‐compatible smartphone. The therapeutic prowess of our system for wound closure is computationally and experimentally demonstrated by promoting epithelial migration and modulating inflammation. Moreover, a novel feature is reported: the smartphone‐enabled system can precisely predict the wound stage via a temperature sensor pair, which can provide an effective timely intervention strategy for NIR wound therapy. Studies based on rat wound model successfully confirm the efficacy of the proposed strategy, showcasing a remarkable 30% enhancement in wound closure compared to control groups. The user‐friendly, effective wound management platform promises a revolutionary step toward accessible and efficient at‐home wound care.

Keywords

• near‐field communication power transfers
• near‐infrared therapies
• sensor–actuator systems
• smartphone‐aided therapies
• wound stage predictions