Wound Monitoring Research Articles

Polymer- and Lipid-Based Nanostructures Serving Wound Healing Applications: A Review.

Management of hard-to-heal wounds often requires specialized care that surpasses the capabilities of conventional treatments. Even the most advanced commercial products lack the functionality to meet the needs of hard-to-heal wounds, especially those complicated by active infection, extreme bleeding, and chronic inflammation. The review explores how supramolecular nanovesicles and nanoparticles-such as dendrimers, micelles, polymersomes, and lipid-based nanocarriers-can be key to introducing advanced wound healing and monitoring properties to address the complex needs of hard-to-heal wounds. Their potential to enable advanced functions essential for next-generation wound healing products-such as hemostatic functions, transdermal penetration, macrophage polarization, targeted delivery, and controlled release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (antibiotics, gaseous products, anti-inflammatory drugs, growth factors)-is discussed via an extensive overview of the recent reports. These studies highlight that the integration of supramolecular systems in wound care is crucial for advancing toward a new generation of wound healing products and addressing significant gaps in current wound management practices. Current strategies and potential improvements regarding personalized therapies, transdermal delivery, and the promising critically evaluated but underexplored polymer-based nanovesicles, including polymersomes and proteinosomes, for wound healing.

Transparent and Mechanically Robust Janus Nanofiber Membranes for Open Wound Healing and Monitoring.

The electrospun nanofiber membrane has demonstrated great potential for wound management due to its porous structure, large surface area, mechanical strength, and barrier properties. However, there is a need to develop transparent bioactive nanofibers with strong mechanical properties to facilitate the monitoring of the healing process. In this study, we present an electrospinning-based method for creating transparent (∼80-90%), strong (∼11-13 MPa), and Janus nanofiber membranes. The innovative square pattern architecture of the membrane includes a thin hydrophobic polycaprolactone layer on top of a layer of hydrophilic ethylene-vinyl alcohol nanofiber, which enables the absorption of excess biofluid from the wound and exhibits Janus wettability for water. Furthermore, incorporating 5% chitosan into the composition of the nanofibers accelerates the healing process through its antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity against various bacteria, including drug-resistant strains. The developed membrane also demonstrates skin-repairing function, quick blood clotting (around 145 ± 12 s), and biocompatibility with keratinocyte (≥90%), as well as in vitro quick cell migration (∼24 h). With a tensile strength of 11-13 MPa, the membrane effectively adheres to the knee joint even after running 4 km. These optimal properties of the electrospun nanofiber membrane make it suitable for effective wound management and inspection of the healing process, without the need for frequent dressing changes.

Endogenous/exogenous stimuli‐responsive smart hydrogels for diabetic wound healing

AbstractDiabetes significantly impairs the body's wound‐healing capabilities, leading to chronic, infection‐prone wounds. These wounds are characterized by hyperglycemia, inflammation, hypoxia, variable pH levels, increased matrix metalloproteinase activity, oxidative stress, and bacterial colonization. These complex conditions complicate effective wound management, prompting the development of advanced diabetic wound care strategies that exploit specific wound characteristics such as acidic pH, high glucose levels, and oxidative stress to trigger controlled drug release, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effects of the dressings. Among the solutions, hydrogels emerge as promising due to their stimuli‐responsive nature, making them highly effective for managing these wounds. The latest advancements in mono/multi‐stimuli‐responsive smart hydrogels showcase their superiority and potential as healthcare materials, as highlighted by relevant case studies. However, traditional wound dressings fall short of meeting the nuanced needs of these wounds, such as adjustable adhesion, easy removal, real‐time wound status monitoring, and dynamic drug release adjustment according to the wound's specific conditions. Responsive hydrogels represent a significant leap forward as advanced dressings proficient in sensing and responding to the wound environment, offering a more targeted approach to diabetic wound treatment. This review highlights recent advancements in smart hydrogels for wound dressing, monitoring, and drug delivery, emphasizing their role in improving diabetic wound healing. It addresses ongoing challenges and future directions, aiming to guide their clinical adoption.

A Flexible Antibacterial Gel Electrochemiluminescence Device for Monitoring and Therapy of Chronic Diabetic Wounds

ABSTRACTThe rapid development of internal light‐driven photodynamic therapy stems from its capability to eliminate bulky physical light sources, addressing the medical requirements for comfort and portability in long‐term diabetic wound management. To overcome limitations such as tissue penetration depth and controllability of internal light sources, this study introduces an antibacterial gel electrochemiluminescence device for the treatment of diabetic wounds and the monitoring of wound bacteria. We deploy a large‐area luminescent device combining flexible screen‐printed electrodes and a dual‐network hydrogel, in which photodynamic therapy is driven by Ru@COFs' nanoconfinement‐enhanced near‐infrared electrochemiluminescence to achieve a deeper and safer antibacterial effect. The custom‐sized screen‐printed electrodes inherit the inborn electrochemical sensing function and enable intimate contact between reactive oxygen species and the wound. The device avoids physical light sources and provides a new paradigm for developing miniaturized integrated diagnostic and therapeutic wearable devices.

A review of artificial intelligence in wound care

Our aging population, diabetes, and obesity have fueled the growth of chronic wounds seen throughout the world. Often, wounds are a marker of poor health that leads to increased mortality rates. However, the diagnosis and treatment of these wounds are challenging. Incorrectly differentiating between chronic wounds and other complex conditions can lead to adverse events. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been shown to offer some early benefits, and we hypothesized that it may enhance wound care but also carry some notable risks. We performed a detailed search using PubMed, Scopus, Cumulated Index in Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science for AI applications in wound care. AI was found to be applied to wound diagnosis and characterization, wound monitoring for tissue change, daily therapy, and prevention and prognostics. AI made for more efficient and accurate wound assessments, less painful assessments of chronic wounds, more personalized treatment, and improved prognostic prediction capabilities. AI also allowed for more precise at-home observation and care, facilitating earlier wound treatment as needed. Challenges associated with AI included how to best allocate AI-assisted technologies equitably, how to safely maintain patient data, and how to diversify datasets for algorithm training. Because the algorithms are not transparent, validating findings may be challenging. AI presents a powerful tool in several aspects of advanced wound care and has the potential to improve diagnoses, accelerate healing, reduce pain, and improve the cost-effectiveness of wound care. More research needs to be done into how to best incorporate AI into daily clinical practice while keeping clinicians aware of the potential risks of using these evolving technologies.

Conductive hydrogels: Intelligent dressings for monitoring and healing chronic wounds

Abstract Conductive hydrogels (CHs) represent a burgeoning class of intelligent wound dressings, providing innovative strategies for chronic wound repair and monitoring. Notably, CHs excel in promoting cell migration and proliferation, exhibit powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and enhance collagen deposition and angiogenesis. These capabilities, combined with real-time monitoring functions, play a pivotal role in accelerating collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, and continuous wound surveillance. This review delves into the preparation, mechanisms, and applications of CHs in wound management, highlighting their diverse and significant advantages. It emphasizes the effectiveness of CHs in treating various chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, infected wounds, temperature-related injuries, and athletic joint wounds. Additionally, it explores the diverse applications of multifunctional intelligent CHs in advanced wound care technologies, encompassing self-powered dressings, electrically-triggered drug delivery, comprehensive diagnostics and therapeutics, and scar-free healing. Furthermore, the review highlights the challenges to their broader implementation, explores the future of intelligent wound dressings, and discusses the transformative role of CHs in chronic wound management, particularly in the context of the anticipated integration of artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, this review underscores the challenges hindering the widespread adoption of CHs, delves into the prospects of intelligent wound dressings, and elucidates the transformative impact of CHs in managing chronic wounds, especially with the forthcoming integration of artificial intelligence (AI). This integration promises to facilitate predictive analytics and tailor personalized treatment plans, thereby further refining the healing process and elevating patient satisfaction. Addressing these challenges and harnessing emerging technologies, we postulate, will establish CHs as a cornerstone in revolutionizing chronic wound care, significantly improving patient outcomes.

A flexible and multimodal biosensing patch integrated with microfluidics for chronic wound monitoring

A flexible and multimodal biosensing patch integrated with microfluidics for chronic wound monitoring

Spatially controllable fluid hydrogel with in-situ electrospinning PCL/chitosan fiber for treating irregular wounds

Skin injuries sustained during exercise are often irregular in shape and frequently accompanied by infections. Bacteria residing in the crevices of these wounds can lead to persistent infections. Routine wound monitoring, which requires removing the wound dressing to assess recovery, is inconvenient and increases the risk of infection. To address this, we prepared a polyvinyl alcohol/polyhydroxylated fullerenes ((PVA/PHF) hydrogel with good fluidity and photothermal antibacterial properties, which can penetrate into the crevices of irregular wounds. After the hydrogel was applied to the wound, the hydrogel was locally defined by the polycaprolactone/Chitosan (PCL/CS) membrane of in-situ electrospinning, which effectively killed bacteria, and the healing efficiency was increased by 240 % in the wound healing experiment. The PVA/PHF hydrogel exhibits excellent electrical conductivity, making it suitable for real-time monitoring of human body motion as a strain sensor. This capability provides doctors with an accurate basis for wound assessment. At the same time, the hydrogel can achieve self-healing within 1.5 s and withstand up to 2200 % tensile strain, which can be used for large-scale motion monitoring of the human body. This flowable hydrogel, capable of penetrating wound crevices, offers a dual function of both treatment and monitoring.

High Antimicrobial Electrotherapy and Wound Monitoring Hydrogel with Bimetal Phenolic Networks for Smart Healthcare

AbstractThe design and fabrication of novel soft bioelectronic materials for rapid wound healing and real‐time monitoring are critical for smart healthcare. However, developing such integrated multifunctional materials devices remains challenging due to fabrication dynamics and sensing interface issues. Herein, a novel strategy is presented for accelerating the kinetics of hydrogels integrating antimicrobial, electrotherapeutic, and wound monitoring functions via bimetallic phenolic networks. The Al3+ catalyzes the radical copolymerization reaction of acrylic acid, resulting in the gelation of the system within 10 s, and also catalyzes the redox reaction between silver and lignin, inducing the sustained release of catechol, which significantly enhances the hydrogel's antimicrobial activity and shortened the wound healing process. Meanwhile, the abundant non‐covalent interactions enhance the hydrogel's tissue adhesion, and mechanical properties (tensile strength 1.558 MPa and elongation 1563%). In addition, the bimetallic ions endow the hydrogels with excellent sensing properties. Under the synergy of electrical stimulation, the wound healing rate is accelerated. Notably, wound assessment can be performed by monitoring changes in electrical signals over the wound, which can assist physicians and patients in achieving intelligent wound management. This work provides new insights into the design and application of multifunctional smart bioelectronic materials.

A Scoping Review of 'Smart' Dressings for Diagnosing Surgical Site Infection: A Focus on Arthroplasty.

Early diagnosis and treatment of surgical wound infection can be challenging. This is especially relevant in the management of periprosthetic joint infection: early detection is key to success and reducing morbidity, mortality and resource use. 'Smart' dressings have been developed to detect parameters suggestive of infection. This scoping review investigates the current status of the field, limited to devices tested in animal models and/or humans, with a focus on their application to arthroplasty. The literature was searched using MEDLINE/PubMed and Embase databases from 2000 to 2023. Original articles assessing external sensing methods for the detection of wound infection in animal models or human participants were included. Sixteen articles were eligible. The results were broadly divided by sensing method: colorimetric, electrochemical and fluorescence/photothermal responses. Six of the devices detected more than one parameter (multimodal), while the rest were unimodal. The most common parameters examined were temperature and pH. Most 'smart' dressings focused on diagnosing infection in chronic wounds, and none were tested in humans with wound infections. There is limited late-stage research into using dressing sensors to diagnose wound infection in post-surgical patients. Future research should explore this to enable inpatient and remote outpatient monitoring of post-operative wounds to detect wound infection.

Implementation of digital remote postoperative monitoring in routine practice: a qualitative study of barriers and facilitators.

Remote monitoring can strengthen postoperative care in the community and minimise the burden of complications. However, implementation requires a clear understanding of how to sustainably integrate such complex interventions into existing care pathways. This study aimed to explore perceptions of potential facilitators and barriers to the implementation of digital remote postoperative monitoring from key stakeholders and derive recommendations for an implementable service. A qualitative implementation study was conducted of digital remote postoperative wound monitoring across two UK tertiary care hospitals. All enrolled patients undergoing general surgery, and all staff involved in postoperative care were eligible. Criterion-based purposeful sampling was used to select stakeholders for semi-structured interviews on their perspectives and experiences of digital remote postoperative monitoring. A theory-informed deductive-inductive qualitative analysis was conducted; drawing on normalisation process theory (NPT) to determine facilitators for and barriers to implementation within routine care. There were 28 semi-structured interviews conducted with patients (n = 14) and healthcare professionals (n = 14). Remote postoperative monitoring was perceived to fulfil an unmet need in facilitating the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative complications. Participants perceived clear benefit to both the delivery of health services, and patient outcomes and experience, but some were concerned that this may not be equally shared due to potential issues with accessibility. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated telemedicine services are feasible to deliver and acceptable to participants, with examples of nurse-led remote postoperative monitoring currently supported within local care pathways. However, there was a discrepancy between patients' expectations regarding digital health to provide more personalised care, and the capacity of healthcare staff to deliver on these. Without further investment into IT infrastructure and allocation of staff, healthcare staff felt remote postoperative monitoring should be prioritised only for patients at the highest risk of complications. The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked the digital transformation of international health systems, yet the potential of digital health interventions has yet to be realised. The benefits to stakeholders are clear, and if health systems seek to meet governmental policy and patient expectations, there needs to be greater organisational strategy and investment to ensure appropriate deployment and adoption into routine care. NCT05069103.

Smart photonic crystal hydrogels for visual glucose monitoring in diabetic wound healing

Diabetes is a global chronic disease that seriously endangers human health and characterized by abnormally high blood glucose levels in the body. Diabetic wounds are common complications which associate with impaired healing process. Biomarkers monitoring of diabetic wounds is of great importance in the diabetes management. However, actual monitoring of biomarkers still largely relies on the complex process and additional sophisticated analytical instruments. In this work, we prepared hydrogels composed of different modules, which were designed to monitor different physiological indicators in diabetic wounds, including glucose levels, pH, and temperature. Glucose monitoring was achieved based on the combination of photonic crystal (PC) structure and glucose-responsive hydrogels. The obtained photonic crystal hydrogels (PCHs) allowed visual monitoring of glucose levels in physiological ranges by readout of intuitive structural color changes of PCHs during glucose-induced swelling and shrinkage. Interestingly, the glucose response of double network PCHs was completed in 15 min, which was twice as fast as single network PCHs, due to the higher volume fraction of glucose-responsive motifs. Moreover, pH sensing was achieved by incorporation of acid-base indicator dyes into hydrogels; and temperature monitoring was obtained by integration of thermochromic powders in hydrogels. These hydrogel modules effectively monitored the physiological levels and dynamic changes of three physiological biomarkers, both in vitro and in vivo during diabetic wound healing process. The multifunctional hydrogels with visual monitoring of biomarkers have great potential in wound-related monitoring and treatment.Graphical abstract

Multifunctional Janus nanofibrous membrane with unidirectional water transport and pH-responsive color-changing for wound dressing

Chronic wounds often produce a significant volume of exudate, posing a substantial obstacle to healing. Consequently, there is a pressing demand for a versatile dressing capable of effectively managing exudate in chronic wounds. In this context, a Janus smart dressing is proposed, featuring unidirectional water transport and a pH-responsive color-changing for exudate management and wound monitoring. The dressing’s mechanisms for unidirectional water transport and color changing are elucidated. The Janus dressing consists of a polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/sodium polyacrylate (SPA)/anthocyanin (An) hydrophilic layer with antioxidant and pH-sensitive functions and a poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) hydrophobic layer, enabling unidirectional exudate drainage without reverse osmosis. Studies indicate that the Janus dressing exhibits excellent air permeability, moisture permeability, mechanical properties, cytocompatibility, and antioxidant performance while promptly responding to color variations in solutions of varying pH levels. In vivo studies demonstrated the excellent wound healing ability of Janus PHBV-PAN/SPA/An membrane. Consequently, this study provides a promising solution to develop wound dressings that can effectively manage excessive wound exudate and dressing changes.

A Review of Advanced and Smart Nano Wound Dressings Based on Investigating the Function of Hybrid Nanosystems in Wound Monitoring and Antimicrobial Activity

Introduction: By monitoring wound parameters and providing targeted therapies, smart dressings can optimize the healing process, reduce the risk of complications, and accelerate wound closure. Reducing health care costs, effective wound monitoring, and targeted drug delivery can reduce frequent wound dressing exchange and also lead to cost savings in the long term. Personalized wound care through smart dressings allows healthcare professionals to tailor treatment plans based on individual wound characteristics and responses. This capability will lead to more accurate and personalized patient care. Controlled drug release, infection detection, and moisture management, smart dressings can enhance patient health, reduce pain, and generally improve patient pain during wound healing. Conclusion: Hybrid nanosystems based on nanoparticles are one of the main components of advanced and smart wound dressings. Hybrid nanosystems show structural changes with changes in temperature and pH. These multiple systems are the main reason for the intelligence of smart wound dressing. Advanced and smart dressings with multiple functions and the ability to actively respond to wound conditions provide the potential to improve treatment for patients and change the method of wound management in health centers. As a result, examining the detailed classifications of advanced and smart dressings provides an efficient approach in wound care and treatment.

A pan-cancer dye for solid-tumour screening, resection and wound monitoring via short-wave and near-infrared fluorescence imaging.

The efficacy of fluorescence-guided surgery in facilitating the real-time delineation of tumours depends on the optical contrast of tumour tissue over healthy tissue. Here we show that CJ215-a commercially available, renally cleared carbocyanine dye sensitive to apoptosis, and with an absorption and emission spectra suitable for near-infrared fluorescence imaging (wavelengths of 650-900 nm) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) fluorescence imaging (900-1,700 nm)-can facilitate fluorescence-guided tumour screening, tumour resection and the assessment of wound healing. In tumour models of either murine or human-derived breast, prostate and colon cancers and of fibrosarcoma, and in a model of intraperitoneal carcinomatosis, imaging of CJ215 with ambient light allowed for the delineation of nearly all tumours within 24 h after intravenous injection of the dye, which was minimally taken up by healthy organs. At later timepoints, CJ215 provided tumour-to-muscle contrast ratios up to 100 and tumour-to-liver contrast ratios up to 18. SWIR fluorescence imaging with the dye also allowed for quantifiable non-contact wound monitoring through commercial bandages. CJ215 may be compatible with existing and emerging clinical solutions.

Functional-hydrogel-based electronic-skin patch for accelerated healing and monitoring of skin wounds

Conductive hydrogels feature reasonable electrical performance as well as tissue-like mechanical softness, thus positioning them as promising material candidates for soft bio-integrated electronics. Despite recent advances in materials and their processing technologies, however, facile patterning and monolithic integration of functional hydrogels (e.g., conductive, low-impedance, adhesive, and insulative hydrogels) for all-hydrogel-based soft bioelectronics still poses significant challenges. Here, we report material design, fabrication, and integration strategies for an electronic-skin (e-skin) patch based on functional hydrogels. The e-skin patch was fabricated by using photolithography-compatible functional hydrogels, such as poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) hydrogel (substrate), Ag flake hydrogel (interconnection; conductivity: ∼571.43 S/cm), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:polystyrene) (PEDOT:PSS) hydrogel (working electrode; impedance: ∼69.84 Ω @ 1 Hz), polydopamine (PDA) hydrogel (tissue adhesive; shear strength: ∼725.1 kPa), and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel (encapsulation). The properties of these functional hydrogels closely resemble those of human tissues in terms of water content and Young's modulus, enabling stable tissue-device interfacing in dynamically changing physiological environments. We demonstrated the efficacy of the e-skin patch through its application to accelerated healing and monitoring of skin wounds in mouse models − efficient fibroblast migration, proliferation, and differentiation promoted by electric field (EF) stimulation and iontophoretic drug delivery, and monitoring of the accelerated healing process through impedance mapping. The all-hydrogel-based e-skin patch is expected to create new opportunities for various clinically-relevant tissue interfacing applications.

High sensitivity, thermal noise-driven aluminum-based resonant MEMS humidity sensor

The integration of connected devices and the Internet of Things in the era of Industry 4.0 has led to the transformation of various sectors. Sensors, particularly for humidity measurement, play a pivotal role in applications such as respiration and wound monitoring, human–machine interfaces, fuel cells, and circuit failure detection. While conventional humidity sensors dominate the market, gravimetric-based sensing offers promise but faces challenges due to complex fabrication, high cost, and nonlinearity. This study explores gravimetric platforms for humidity sensing and proposes linear and nonlinear schemes to detect humidity. The linear sensors exhibit consistent frequency shifts with humidity changes, while the nonlinear sensors introduce a turn-around point where nonlinear effects counteract mass-loading. We address this limitation by splitting the dynamic range into low and high ranges on either side of this point, thereby creating one-to-one relationships. Both sensor types demonstrate high sensitivity (from 39068 to −23568 ppm/%RH for nonlinear and 5809 ppm/%RH for linear) and repeatability, emphasizing their suitability for real-time humidity monitoring. Moreover, the thermal noise-driven resonators underlying the sensors do not require external input, thereby enhancing their suitability for low-power applications. These findings provide a foundation for innovative real-time sensing applications and offer insights into optimizing sensitivity and stability in humidity sensing and other applications.

Post-Surgical Non-Invasive Wound Healing Monitoring in Oropharyngeal Mucosa.

Postoperative bleeding is the most significant complication of tonsillectomy. Regular monitoring of post-surgical wound healing in the pharynx is required. For this purpose, we propose endoscope-based non-invasive perfusion mapping and quantification. The combination of imaging photoplethysmography and image processing provides automated wound area selection and microcirculation characterization. In this feasibility study, we demonstrate the first results of the proposed approach to wound monitoring in clinical trial on eight patients after tonsillectomy. Combination of probe-based optical system and image processing algorithms can provide the valuable and consistent data on perfusion distribution. The quantitative microcirculation data obtained 1, 4, and 7 days after surgery are in good agreement with existing monitoring protocols.

Biomimetic FeNi-MOF assisted intelligent theranostic hydrogels for pH identification and treatment of wounds

Wound healing poses a significant challenge because of prolonged treatment and compromised tissue regeneration caused by bacterial infections. Timely and efficient wound monitoring strategies are urgently needed to assess wound progression and healing in real time. To address this, we present an intelligent theranostic hydrogel system based on dual-site biomimetic FeNi metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that enables intelligent wound pH monitoring and effective prevention of infection. Notably, the quasi-MOFs among the pristine bimetallic FeNi-MOFs and their derivatives demonstrate remarkable performance in mimicking superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities, along with exceptional stability. The synthesized MOF hydrogels act as wound dressings for monitoring wound status and promoting healing. By incorporating the quasi-MOF and a pH indicator (phenol red) into the hydrogel, the hybrid system allows accurate pH detection, reflecting dynamic wound conditions. Furthermore, visual changes captured by smartphones provide real-time signals for remote assessment of wound pH, facilitating precise antimicrobial therapy and on-demand pH monitoring. This multifunctional theranostic hydrogel represents a significant advancement in the development and optimization of MOF hydrogels, offering a platform for efficient wound healing and comprehensive wound assessment.

New light-illuminated silk road: emerging silk fibroin-based optical biomedical sensors.

Biomedical silk protein optics has become the subject of intensive research aimed at solving the challenges associated with traditional medical devices in terms of biocompatibility and performance balance. With its significant potential for biomedical applications in the field of drug storage and wound monitoring, it is dedicated to reducing the perturbation of neighbouring tissues. The transparency and biocompatibility of silk proteins make them ideal materials in the field of optical device fabrication, effectively overcoming the challenges posed by conventional materials. In this paper, we explore in detail the complex aspects of the design, synthesis and application related to biomedical silk protein optical devices and comprehensively analyse the potential use of silk protein-centric microstructures (e.g., micropillars, microneedles, and photonic crystals) in the development of optical devices. This review also offers insights into the challenges of applying silk protein optical devices in healthcare and their future trends, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the advances, potential impacts and emerging research directions in the field of biomedical silk protein optical devices.