Alginate hydrogel yarn-based wound dressing: a high-performance alternative to fabric-coated dressings

Hydrogels show promise for skin wound healing due to extended moisture retention, but limited breathability and flexibility in existing hydrogels contribute to prolonged healing times. Hence, it is crucial to adopt innovative methods for creating hydrogel dressings that possess excellent breathability, flexibility, and strength to expedite the wound healing process. The study utilized a novel technique to fabricate a hydrogel wound dressing from textiles. It involved coating cotton yarn with alginate hydrogel and directly weaving the treated yarn without additional processing. Upon comparing the outcomes of wound dressings made from alginate hydrogel-coated cotton yarn and those with alginate hydrogel directly applied to cotton fabric, it was found that the dressing incorporating hydrogel-coated cotton yarn exhibited superior moisture retention, breathability, and flexibility compared to the direct application of alginate onto cotton fabric. The newly developed hydrogel wound dressing exhibits notable characteristics, including a tensile strength of 407.4 N, a breathability rate of 696 mm/s, an OMMC value of 0.51, an exudate absorbency of 420%, and comparable flexibility to that of pure cotton fabric. Additionally, it demonstrates antibacterial properties. Therefore, the current findings underscore the significant potential of hydrogels synthesized through an innovative method for utilization in wound dressings.