Engineering Hydrogels for Chronic Wound Diagnostics: Repurposing Biomaterials into Autonomous pH Sensors

Marie-Lynn Al-Hawat – PhD Candidate, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal; Farnoush Toupchinejad – Undergrad intern, culty of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University; Nancy Abdel Samad – Undergrad intern, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal; Arnaud Morin – Undergrad intern, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal; Simon Matoori – PI, Corresponding author, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal

Introduction:

Chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers drive global amputations, yet assessment relies on subjective visual inspection. Hydrogels, well known in controlled release biomaterials, offer untapped potential as diagnostic platforms. Here, we repurposed them into fluorescent/colorimetric pH-responsive point-of-care sensors by embedding dye-loaded microparticles in alginate. Building from ex vivo proof-of-concept and ongoing in vivo validation, this project integrates smartphone cameras, 3D-printed closed-box Arduino RGB detectors and AI/ML normalization, enabling autonomous, objective wound pH monitoring for vulnerable diabetic patients.