ADVANCED BIOMATERIAL PLATFORMS FOR CHRONIC WOUND CARE: SMART DRESSINGS, 3D BIOPRINTING, AND 4D RESPONSIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Chronic non-healing wounds constitute a significant health concern and impose a substantial financial burden on healthcare systems. This creates a pressing need for advanced solutions capable of improving therapeutic efficacy. The aim of this review article is to analyze the current state of knowledge regarding the application of smart dressings and 3D and 4D bioprinting technologies in the treatment of chronic wounds. The methodology was based on a critical review and synthesis of scientific literature in the fields of biomaterials engineering and regenerative medicine. Contemporary hydrogel-based matrices integrated with biosensors and machine learning algorithms effectively transform passive mechanical wound protection into an automated system for monitoring the wound microenvironment and actively responding to its changes. Concurrently, 3D bioprinting techniques enable precise architectural reconstruction of tissues and the fabrication of grafts tailored to the unique size, shape, and depth of individual injuries. Although smart dressing technologies, 3D and 4D bioprinting are undergoing intensive development, additional preclinical and clinical studies are required to establish their safety and efficacy profiles, which is a prerequisite for the development of national regulatory standards.