Sutures have long been the go-to method for closing large and deep wounds in the skin, promoting faster healing by physically bringing the edges of the wound back together. Without them, injuries heal more slowly, often leave larger scars, and have a higher risk of infection. However, traditional sutures come with their own set of challenges: movement of the affected area can cause the stitches to open up, and they typically need to be removed by a doctor once the healing process is complete. Now, scientists at Donghua University in China have developed a groundbreaking new type of suture that could address these issues and accelerate the healing process.

The innovation lies in a specialized mechanoelectrical fiber that generates electric fields when it is moved. This fiber is designed with two layers: a core and a sheath. When the wound area moves, the contact between the layers changes, creating electrical signals. Research has shown that these electric fields can speed up healing by stimulating cell movement and tissue regeneration.

In a series of experiments, the researchers tested the new electrical sutures on cell cultures in the lab. After 24 hours, the electrical sutures had reduced the wound size by 58.2%, from 69% of the wound surface to just 10.8%. In contrast, traditional sutures only reduced the wound area by 36.8%, leaving 32.6% of the wound exposed. The key to this faster healing is the electric fields generated by the sutures, which stimulate the migration of fibroblasts—cells that play a crucial role in building new connective tissue by producing collagen.

Encouraged by their success with cell cultures, the team moved on to testing the electrical sutures in rats. Over the course of 10 days, the wounds treated with electrical sutures closed by 96.5%, significantly outperforming the control group, where traditional sutures closed only 60.4% of the wound area. The electrical sutures also showed a marked advantage in preventing infection: regardless of whether the wounds were disinfected daily, the rats treated with the electrical sutures had significantly lower bacterial levels than those treated with regular sutures.

What sets these electrical sutures apart from other electrical wound-healing technologies is that they work passively, without the need for external devices like biosensors or batteries. The mechanical movement of the patient is enough to generate the necessary electrical signals, making this approach more convenient and less invasive.

Additionally, the electrical sutures are made from bioabsorbable materials, meaning they break down naturally in the body over time. This eliminates the need for a follow-up procedure to remove the sutures, reducing the risk of complications and the need for further medical intervention.

Although this research is still in its early stages, the potential for these electrical sutures to revolutionize wound healing is significant. With faster healing times, lower infection rates, and the added benefit of being self-degradable, these sutures could offer a safer, more efficient alternative to traditional stitching methods.

Before they can be used in clinical settings, however, there is still much work to be done. Further studies will be necessary to test the safety and efficacy of the electrical sutures in humans. But with promising results from animal studies, this new technology offers an exciting glimpse into the future of wound care—one where healing could be faster, safer, and less invasive.

By Impact Lab