Researchers in China have made a groundbreaking advancement in wound care with the development of a new type of suture that not only accelerates the healing process but also reduces the risk of infection by generating an electrical charge during movement. Dr. Chengyi Hou, a co-author of the study from Donghua University, shared that “this electrical stimulation suture is a fully biodegradable and self-electrified material, promoting wound healing without requiring external electric devices.”
The innovation is anchored in the science of electrical stimulation, which has long been known to facilitate wound healing by encouraging cell migration to the injured area. The findings, published in the journal *Nature Communications*, detail how these sutures are constructed with a core filament made of magnesium, encased in a biodegradable polymer sheath.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the sutures, the research team conducted a series of experiments using artificial muscle fibers and rat models with wounds. They discovered that stretching the sutures causes the core element to move within the sheath and generate an electrical charge, akin to the static electricity created when rubbing a balloon on hair. Dr. Hou explained, “The suture generates electricity by creating opposite charges on the center and outer shell when muscles relax and contract, based on the triboelectric effect. This in turn creates an electric field at the wound site, which accelerates the healing process.”
Unlike traditional stitches, which can impede movement, this new suture actually capitalizes on it. In laboratory tests, the team observed that the electrical field significantly boosted cell migration and proliferation around the sutures while also inhibiting bacterial growth.
Further studies on rats demonstrated that wounds treated with these new sutures healed approximately 50% faster than those closed with conventional bioabsorbable sutures and exhibited lower bacterial counts—an essential factor in minimizing the risk of postoperative infections. Remarkably, after just 10 days, the wounds were nearly completely healed, contrasting sharply with results from other suture types or when no sutures were applied.
The team is now moving forward with clinical trials to assess the sutures’ efficacy in humans. Dr. Hou highlighted the economic viability of their invention, noting that the new sutures are priced similarly to existing commercial absorbable options.
Dr. Karen Wright from Lancaster University, who was not involved in the study, emphasized the uniqueness of this innovation, saying, “The novelty here is that a charge is generated purely through movement. This provides dual benefits—removing the need for external electrical applications or battery-operated systems, while also ensuring that the material is degradable in situ.”
