Comprehensive Summary
This article reviews the development of smart dressings for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), which remain a major cause of amputation and mortality when left untreated. Conventional wound dressings provide basic protection but lack advanced features such as responsive polymers or integrated biosensors. Emerging smart dressings incorporate innovations like reactive oxygen species (ROS)–sensitive hydrogels and microneedle-based patches, which can monitor wound conditions and deliver therapeutic agents in a targeted manner. These technologies hold promise for accelerating healing and advancing personalized care in DFU management, potentially shifting the paradigm of chronic wound treatment.
Outcomes and Implications
DFUs are a clinical burden due to 15-25% of people expected to contract diabetes. Traditional dressings absorb exudate, but fail to control the wound environment. DFUs can form beneficial environments for increased healing, leading to accelerated infection control. The ROS- hydrogels, especially, are able to liberate antimicrobials, thereby reducing the possibility of chronic non-healing states. Furthermore, the intersection between electronics and biosensors leads to remote monitoring of DFUs through smartphone imaging and further supports the idea of precision treatment. However, it is crucial to note that manufacturing costs and reliable biocompatibility wears over time making it difficult to properly integrate into routine. However, such evolutions can reduce amputation rates, mitigate hospital visits, and reduce expenditures related to diabetes.