Accelerating the remodeling of collagen in cutaneous full-thickness
wound using FIR soldering technology with bio-targeting nanocomposites
hydrogel
Abstract
A novel composite wound dressing hydrogel by incorporating single-walled
carbon nanotubes and indocyanine green into a dual-crosslinked hydrogel
through Schiff base reaction was developed. The objective was to prevent
wound infection and enhance the thermal effect induced by laser energy.
The hydrogel matrix was constructed using oxidized gelatin,
pre-crosslinked with calcium ions, along with carboxymethyl chitosan,
crosslinked via Schiff base reaction. Optimization of the blank
hydrogel’s gelation time, swelling index, degradation rate, and
mechanical properties was achieved by adding 0.1% SWCNT and 0.1% ICG.
Among them, the SWCNT-loaded hydrogel BCG-SWCNT exhibited superior
performance overall: a gelation time of 102 seconds; a swelling index
above 30 after equilibrium swelling; a degradation rate of 100.5% on
the seventh day; and a compressive modulus of 8.8 KPa. It displayed
significant inhibition against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus infection in wounds. When combined with laser energy usage, the
composite hydrogel demonstrated excellent pro-healing activity in rats.