Use of Wireless Smart Devices in Remote Monitoring of Chronic Wounds: A Scoping Review

The integration of Internet of Things devices in medicine has paved the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic solutions that offer 'smart' capabilities, especially for at-home wound monitoring. Such capabilities include increasing portability, diminished gaps in care through continuous analysis, and real-time programmable manipulation of device parameters to intervene more rapidly. This scoping review explores the landscape of Internet of Things devices, including smart bandages, wearable and skin-interfaced sensors, and mobile app-connected devices, specifically designed for chronic wound monitoring in a remote, at-home setting. We reviewed literature from PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, and Web of Science, using keywords related to Internet of Things and chronic wound care. The evaluation criteria focused on biomarkers analysed, Internet of Things connectivity technology, experimental models used for device validation, and unique device strengths or weaknesses. Our review identified 52 unique studies comprising 77 data entries across five biomarker categories: gas and oxygen saturation, pH, metabolic markers, biophysical parameters of the wound microenvironment, and molecular markers of inflammation or infection. These devices span a wide landscape of biomarkers analysed to predict and monitor wound recovery, with the potential to improve patient outcomes through personalised treatment and timely interventions. However, many devices were never validated clinically on humans and faced limitations in power delivery, accuracy, stability, and reliability that challenge their potential usability in humans for wound monitoring. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential and limitations of Internet of Things devices in at-home wound care, highlighting areas for future research and development.