A Mechanical Contraction‐Driven Hydrogel Dressing for pH Visualization and Tailored Acute/Chronic Wound Healing

Abstract An impaired epithelial barrier, weakened skin contraction, and inflammatory infection represent three major challenges in the closure of large‐area acute/chronic wounds; however, clinically effective methods for monitoring dynamic wound healing are lacking. To address these issues, a theranostic multifunctional antibacterial and anti‐infective active contractile hydrogel wound dressing (NGPR‐Zn) is developed. It is fabricated via free‐radical polymerization and freeze‐thaw cross‐linking using N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), modified carboxylated chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), red cabbage extract (RCE), and zinc ions. The NGPR‐Zn hydrogel dressing for large‐area acute bacterial‐infected wounds can undergo temperature‐responsive contraction while sustainably releasing Zn 2 ⁺, accelerating wound closure and providing efficient antibacterial and anti‐infective effects. In chronic wound management (e.g., diabetic ulcers), in addition to mechanical contraction stimulation, it promotes healing through mechanisms such as oxidative stress mitigation, inflammatory infection reduction, and enhanced neovascularization. A unique advantage lies in the pH‐responsive color‐changing capability of RCE, where chromatic transitions under different pH conditions are closely correlated with the wound‐healing stages, enabling dynamic and precise monitoring via smartphone imaging. This intelligent dressing integrates “mechanical contraction‐biochemical regulation‐dynamic monitoring” in a synergistic multifunctional system, laying the foundation for the development of personalized and precise theranostic platforms.