[Researches and clinical translation of smart dressings]

The research and application of smart dressings are a focal point in fields such as burn and wound repair. Breakthroughs in miniaturized electronic components, fiber optics and wireless communication technologies, and flexible circuit, and the research and development of novel biomaterials have laid foundation for the development and application of smart dressings. Real-time, rapid-response, multifunctional smart dressings are emerging, showing great potential in aspects such as early detection of wound infections, assessment of inflammatory responses, monitoring changes in wound characteristics, and estimating wound healing direction and duration. They also provide opportunities for precise and controlled local drug delivery to wounds and microcurrent stimulation therapy. This article introduces the classification, research progress, and clinical trials of smart dressings, and analyzes the functions, advantages, and limitations of sensor-based smart dressings by categorizing them into active and passive types. Additionally, this article introduces three types of broadly defined, non-sensor-based smart dressings that can identify changes in specific wound parameters and respond accordingly such as changing color, releasing drugs, or exhibiting microcurrent. Based on this, the article also provides an outlook on the future of smart dressings.