A Self-Powered Flexible Bioelectronic System Based on Thermoelectric Generator for Electrotherapy and Monitoring of Chronic Wounds

Abstract

Endogenous electric fields in wounds play a crucial role in promoting cell migration and proliferation. To mimic or enhance these electric fields for wound healing, external electrical stimulation is widely adopted. However, most methods rely on bulky equipment or battery-powered systems, requiring frequent recharging or replacement, which hinders continuous, self-sustained treatment. Here, a self-powered, flexible bioelectronic is presented, system based on thermoelectric generators (TEG), which converts body heat into electricity to stimulate chronic wound healing while monitoring the wound microenvironment. The TEG is optimized for high performance by adjusting the fill factor, membrane thickness, and thermal conductivity, achieving a normalized power density of 6.996 µW cm⁻² K². In vitro, the electrical output accelerated cell migration and proliferation by 70.4% compared to the control. In a rat model, electrical stimulation effectively accelerated wound healing. As an indicator of healing, the pH of wound exudate in the treatment group showed more significant changes, confirming electrotherapy efficacy and providing real-time healing assessment. This work presents a self-powered, closed-loop system combining electrotherapy and wound monitoring, harnessing body heat for continuous on-demand treatment.