Chronic wounds, including pressure ulcers and burns, pose a persistent global healthcare challenge, particularly among ageing and
immobilised patients. Chronic wounds frequently exhibit impaired healing, a phenomenon attributable to a complex microenvironment
characterised by chronic inflammation, persistent infection, poor vascularisation, and impaired tissue regeneration. Despite the
considerable advances made in the field of medicine, current wound dressings are passive and largely ineffective in responding to these
multifactorial conditions. There is an absence of the capacity to dynamically adapt, monitor local changes, or deliver therapeutic agents
in a controlled manner. This results in delayed healing, recurrent infections, and significant healthcare costs. WOUND-ACT proposes
a novel strategy to address these limitations through the design of a smart, multi-layered and multifunctional wound dressing capable
of real-time wound monitoring and stimuli-responsive therapeutic drug release. The system is composed of three distinct layers, each
with a specific function: (i) an inner antibacterial GeIMA-based hydrogel with ZnO particles doped with Ag or Mg, designed to suppress
microbial colonization and biofilm formation; (ii) a central electroresponsive GeIMA-based hydrogel reinforced with carbon nanotubes
and therapeutic nanocapsules, enabling on-demand drug delivery triggered by wound conditions; and (iii) an outer sensing layer that
uses colorimetric indicators to detect pH and temperature changes associated with infection or inflammation. This integrated platform
combines diagnostics and therapy in a single modular system that is adaptable to diverse wound types, healing stages, and patient profiles.
The clinical scalability of the design is of significant potential, with the capacity to reduce healing times, minimise antibiotic use, reduce
readmissions and substantially reduce healthcare costs. This marks a disruptive advance in personalised wound care.