A continuous wound monitoring patch based on stretchable organic electrochemical transistors

Chronic wounds, especially those linked to diabetes, require continuous monitoring and timely interventions to prevent severe complications. The emergence of smart bandages equipped with multifunctional sensors offers a promising avenue to alleviate the burden on healthcare systems while minimizing delays in medical care. However, conventional electrochemical sensors often face limitations, including inadequate detection sensitivity and poor mechanical compatibility with biological tissue, thereby restricting their utility in smart bandages for long-term wound care applications. In this study, we present a stretchable organic electrochemical transistor (OECT)-based glucose sensing platform designed for a smart patch in chronic wound care. By leveraging the amplification ability and the excellent mechanical properties of stretchable OECTs, this platform achieves both high sensitivity and exceptional tissue compatibility. Specifically, we demonstrate an all-polymer stretchable OECT-based glucose sensor, which exhibits high glucose sensitivity (>20 μA/mM), robust mechanical stability under substantial deformation (up to 50% strain), and extended storage stability (up to 15 days). For practical use, the sensors are integrated into a compact, coin-sized wearable readout system, enabling continuous and comfortable wound monitoring.