Recent Advances in Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel-Based Wound Dressing

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Hydrogels are increasingly utilized in biomedical applications, particularly as wound dressings, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high absorption capacity.
• Hydrogels support skin repair by promoting cell proliferation and migration, facilitating oxygen permeation, and preventing microbial invasion.
• Stimuli-responsive hydrogels offer enhanced wound management by activating therapeutic actions in response to specific environmental cues like pH, temperature, or glucose levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in stimuli-responsive hydrogels for wound dressing applications.
• To provide an overview of the human skin structure, functions, and wound healing processes.
• To conduct a bibliometric analysis of the research landscape in stimuli-responsive hydrogel wound dressings.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent scientific publications on stimuli-responsive hydrogels for wound healing.
• Summary of skin structure, wound healing phases, and hydrogel properties.
• Bibliometric analysis to map the knowledge domain and research trends.

Main Results:

• Stimuli-responsive hydrogels demonstrate significant potential for active wound management.
• These advanced materials can be tailored to respond to various physiological triggers for localized therapeutic effects.
• The field is characterized by growing research interest and diverse applications in wound care.

Conclusions:

• Stimuli-responsive hydrogels represent a promising frontier in advanced wound dressing technology.
• Their ability to respond to specific stimuli allows for targeted and efficient wound healing interventions.
• Continued research and bibliometric analysis are crucial for understanding and advancing this dynamic field.