Medical Engineering Defense, Canran Wang

Chronic wounds are a major global health issue, incurring staggering economic costs and impacting patient well-being. Effective exudate management is crucial, yet current methods fail to balance moisture levels. Real-time analysis of biomarkers could guide treatment, but existing systems lack capacity. Here, we introduce iCares, a wearable device for wound exudate management and continuous in situ analysis of biomarkers. iCares contains a flexible nanoengineered sensor array that measures key reactive species, providing multiparameter data to inform wound status. The device features a pump-free microfluidic module for efficient unidirectional exudate collection, transport, and refreshing. iCares enables scalable, wireless, long-term continuous reactive species monitoring without impeding daily activities. The system was validated through testing in murine models of infection and fasting. Clinical evaluation was conducted in 20 patients with chronic wounds, and in patients monitored before and after surgery, demonstrating the system's applicability across diverse wound conditions. iCares offers early infection detection and wound outcome prediction using machine learning-enhanced data analysis.

Advisor: Professor Wei Gao