A Safe, Stable, Simple, Serviceable, and Self-Powered Wound Dressing With Continuous Low-Voltage Direct Current Electrical Stimulation: an Efficient Approach to Accelerate Wound Healing

Abstract

Electrical stimulation (ES) dressings have garnered considerable attention owing to their profound impact on chronic wound care, while the existing ES dressings necessitate external power supply or intricate structures, posing potential safety risks and usage inconveniences. Herein, a safe, stable, simple, serviceable, and self-powered (5S) ES dressing composed of an electrospinning asymmetric nanofiber membrane with screen-printed electrodes and a polyurethane foam is developed. The asymmetric nanofiber membrane acts as the power due to its electrical double-layer effect during the unidirectional exudate transfer, and the polyurethane foam with excellent water absorption and retention properties effectively manages the exudate. This 5S dressing generates a sustained low-voltage direct current ES in situ at the wound site and creates a favorable microenvironment for wound re-epithelization. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that this 5S dressing can significantly promote wound healing. Compared with the control group (on the 7th day), the collagen deposition of the 5S dressing treated group increased by 15.9%, the capillary density increased by 90.6%, and the epidermal thickness increased by 228.3%, resulting in a 23.6% enhancement in the wound healing rate. Consequently, the 5S wound dressing presents a highly sophisticated and effective therapeutic approach for accelerating wound healing.