Photoresponsive Hydrogel Dressings for Controlled Drug Release in Wounds

Abstract

This work presents the design and development of photoresponsive hydrogels for controlled drug release in wound management. The fabrication of photoresponsive hydrogels incorporate photothermal-responsive ingredients which can facilitate the precise, stimuli-on-demand, and NIR-activated release of therapeutic formulations consisting of anti-inflammatory and anti-infective drugs. The localized heating of the hydrogels caused by the NIR irradiation will increase the diffusion of the therapeutic agents; address inflammation, infection, and tissue regeneration; and accomplish more effective wound management with self-regulatory behavior. Overall, these multifunctional hydrogel dressings deliver spatiotemporally controlled therapeutics, represent a promising alternative therapy to medically treat chronic wounds and infected wounds through minimally invasive on-demand therapy.