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Fabrication and Characterization of a Conformal Skin-like Electronic System for Quantitative, Cutaneous Wound Management
Published on: September 2, 2015
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A Biocompatible Wearable Potentiometric Sensing Chip for in Situ Wound Monitoring
Naiqian Zhang1,2, Zhihua Liu2, Xiao Yu2
1College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Shandong Provincial Universities for Functional Molecules and Materials, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, P. R. China.
ACS Sensors
|November 25, 2025
Summary
This study presents a new hydrogel coating for wearable sensors, significantly improving their ability to detect wound infections by preventing bacterial and protein buildup. The antifouling sensor enhances wound monitoring and management.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Wearable potentiometric sensors are crucial for in situ monitoring of wound biomarkers, aiding early infection detection and management.
- The antifouling properties of these sensors in complex wound fluid environments remain a significant challenge.
- Developing robust antifouling strategies is essential for reliable on-body wound monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple and effective antifouling strategy for wearable potentiometric sensing chips.
- To impart self-adhesive and antifouling capabilities to sensing chips using a novel hydrogel coating.
- To evaluate the performance of the antifouling hydrogel-coated sensor for in situ wound monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized a catechol-functionalized zwitterionic hydrogel via dopamine-triggered gelation.
- Applied the self-adhesive hydrogel as a coating onto a polymeric membrane-based H+ sensing chip.
- Assessed antifouling performance by measuring adsorption of bacteria, proteins, and cells.
- Evaluated cytotoxicity and cell viability of the coated and uncoated sensors.
- Conducted in situ bacterial infection monitoring experiments on-body.
Main Results:
- The hydrogel coating exhibited low swellability, good biocompatibility, and high stretchability.
- The hydrogel-coated sensor demonstrated significantly enhanced antifouling performance compared to the pristine sensor.
- Markedly suppressed adsorption of bacteria, proteins, and cells was observed on the coated sensor.
- Cell viability increased by approximately 35% with the hydrogel coating, indicating reduced cytotoxicity.
- In situ monitoring successfully captured spatial and temporal pH changes in wound microenvironments.
Conclusions:
- The proposed self-adhesive zwitterionic hydrogel coating provides an effective antifouling solution for wearable potentiometric sensors.
- This strategy enhances sensor performance for on-body wound monitoring, particularly for infection detection via pH changes.
- The developed antifouling sensing chip holds promise for improved wound management and personalized healthcare.
