Hierarchically Designed Electrothermal Liquid Gating E-Dressing for Intelligent Wound Exudate Management and Healing Therapy

Abstract

Effective management of wound exudate is critical for mitigating inflammation and promoting moist wound healing. However, achieving efficient, dynamic, and controllable exudate regulation remains a significant challenge. To address this, we developed a smart trilayer electronic dressing (E-dressing) composed of a silver nanowire (Ag NW) heater, a thermoresponsive cotton fabric (CTP) interlayer, and hydrophobic polyurethane (PU) nanofibers. Upon electrical stimulation, Ag NW-induced heating triggers rapid hydrophilicity switching in the CTP layer. This process dynamically generates a Janus interface that enables spontaneous unidirectional fluid transport from the PU layer to the Ag NW layer, with the volume of removed exudate being precisely modulated by the stimulation duration. Simultaneously, the Ag NWs component allows for real-time thermal monitoring of wound status. The E-dressing exhibited potent antibacterial activity, inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) by (98.7 ± 0.5)% and Escherichia coli (E. coli) by (99.9 ± 0.1)%, thereby significantly reducing infection risk. In diabetic mouse models, wound treated with the E-dressing combined with electrical stimulation achieved nearly complete closure. Compared to controls, the treatment also induced a 31-fold increase in neovascularization density during the early stage and enhanced collagen deposition by 157.7% by day 12. This intelligent system offers a novel strategy for maintaining moisture balance and promoting chronic wound repair. With its dual functionality of remote thermal regulation and real-time monitoring, the E-dressing represents a promising platform for advanced smart wound therapeutics.

Graphical Abstract

This E-dressing enables dynamic exudate management through reversible wettability modulation. Upon electrical activation,Joule heating induces a hydrophilic transition in the thermoresponsive cotton layer,generating an on-demand Janus interface with the hydrophobic PU substrate to drive autonomous fluid transport away from the wound bed. De-energizing the system restores cotton hydrophobicity, establishing a fluid-retentive barrier. The platform concurrently delivers inherent antibacterial functionality and enables real-time thermal monitoring capabilities.