A theranostic microneedle patch for NIR-II-triggered synergistic antibacterial therapy and real-time pH monitoring in infected diabetic wounds

Diabetic wounds pose significant clinical and public health challenges due to persistent multidrug-resistant bacterial biofilms and the lack of real-time, objective monitoring tools. Herein, we report a multifunctional hydrogel microneedle patch that integrates synergistic antibacterial therapy with dynamic wound assessment. The MN tips, composed of hyaluronic acid and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, were loaded with copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) to enable minimally invasive, localized delivery into wound tissues. Upon near-infrared-II (NIR-II) irradiation, CuS NPs mediated combined photothermal and chemodynamic antibacterial effects, effectively controlling wound infection and modulating the wound microenvironment to facilitate healing. The hydrogel base, based on polyvinyl alcohol, incorporated brilliant yellow dye-loaded beads, which are capable of a visual, colorimetric response to wound exudate. Quantitative analysis via smartphone imaging allowed real-time, non-invasive monitoring of wound pH value. This theranostic platform offers a promising strategy for the design of integrated, intelligent dressings for precise diabetic wound therapy