Polymer for advanced wound healing: design and mechanism

Smart and rapid wound healing has long been a significant challenge for the medical community. Recent advancements in biomaterials and manufacturing technologies are overcoming the limitations of traditional wound dressings. Notably, reversible light-responsive azobenzene derivatives in elastomer form are emerging as intelligent materials for this purpose. Their reversible photoisomerization properties have extensive applications in wound healing. This study systematically reviews the design principles, strategies, and mechanisms of smart elastomers based on drugs, as well as their applications in various stages of wound healing. When classifying drugs-releasing elastomers by response factors and loaded drugs, we emphasize design strategies based on physical blending and temperature or light microenvironments. Comparing smart elastomers to traditional polymer dressings, this review highlights how the dual presence of photoisomerization and dynamic bonds grants these polymers non-contact, reversible, intelligent adhesive properties. This unique combination enhances drugs delivery efficiency at wound sites while minimizing patient discomfort. The review discusses the advantages, challenges, and future prospects of smart elastomers in wound healing, offering new insights into intelligent drugs delivery systems for wound treatment.