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Recent advances in polymer composites have led to new, multifunctional wound dressings that can greatly improve healing processes, but assessing the moisture status of the underlying wound site still requires frequent visual inspection. Moisture is a key mediator in tissue regeneration and it has long been recognised that there is an opportunity for smart systems to provide quantitative information such that dressing selection can be optimised and nursing time prioritised. Composite technologies have a rich history in the development of moisture/humidity sensors but the challenges presented within the clinical context have been considerable. This review aims to train a spotlight on existing barriers and highlight how laser-induced graphene could lead to emerging material design strategies that could allow clinically acceptable systems to emerge.

The combination of paraffin wax and O,O′-bis(2-aminopropyl) polypropylene glycol–block–polyethylene glycol–block–polypropylene glycol was used as a phase-change material (PCM) for the controlled delivery of curcumin. The PCM was combined with a graphene-based heater derived from the laser scribing of polyimide film. This assembly provides a new approach to a smart patch through which release can be electronically controlled, allowing repetitive dosing. Rather than relying on passive diffusion, delivery is induced and terminated through the controlled heating of the PCM with transfer only occurring when the PCM transitions from solid to liquid. The material properties of the device and release characteristics of the strategy under repetitive dosing are critically assessed. The delivery yield of curcumin was found to be 3.5 µg (4.5 µg/cm2) per 3 min thermal cycle.

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