Korean researchers have developed a "smart patch" that automatically regulates treatment intensity when applied, eliminating the need for ointments or bandages.
A research team led by Professor Choi Kyung-chul at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) School of Electrical Engineering has developed a "self-regulating wound healing patch" technology combining organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) with a drug delivery system, according to scientific sources on Wednesday.
Conventional ointments used for wound treatment can cause side effects when overused. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, which uses low-intensity light to aid cell and tissue regeneration, also loses effectiveness when optimal dosages are exceeded. The newly developed OLED patch overcomes these limitations.
The key innovation is an "intelligent treatment method" that maintains optimal levels automatically without manual adjustment. When light is applied to the OLED patch, medication is automatically released in appropriate amounts according to the light intensity. The mechanism works by promoting cell regeneration through light exposure, with the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during this process acting as a switch to trigger automatic drug release.
The research team created an OLED patch with a 630-nanometer wavelength that adheres closely to skin. The patch was designed to deliver light evenly to induce cell regeneration while releasing optimal amounts of antioxidant drugs such as Centella asiatica extract, a plant-derived compound with skin regeneration properties.
The patch was manufactured in a wearable form that fully conforms to skin contours, reducing light energy loss. It maintains temperatures at approximately 31 degrees Celsius even during extended use, ensuring safe application without risk of low-temperature burns. The patch demonstrated stability by maintaining performance for over 400 hours, confirming its potential for actual medical device applications.
In mouse experiments, wound recovery rates reached 67 percent at 14 days of treatment, recording healing speeds approximately twice as fast as the control group at 35 percent. Healing quality also improved significantly, with skin thickness and barrier protein formation returning to normal levels.
"We plan to develop this into intelligent treatment technology that can be applied to various wounds and diseases and responds automatically according to each patient's physical condition," Professor Choi said.