Development of a Graphene Oxide-Enhanced Thermoresponsive Self-Healing Waterborne Polyurethane Elastomer for Abdominal Wall Defect Repair

Polyurethane has been widely utilized in medical devices, owing to its excellent biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and processability. This study presents a thermoresponsive self-healing waterborne polyurethane elastomer (WPU) incorporating graphene oxide (GO), designed to enhance the repair of abdominal wall defects. This material integrates multiple functionalities including antimicrobial activity, tissue regeneration, and self-healing capabilities, offering a safer and more effective solution. The WPU matrix provides excellent biocompatibility and controllable degradability, contributing to reduced tissue adhesion and promoted abdominal wall regeneration. The incorporation of GO endows the material with photothermal properties, enabling localized thermal effects under near-infrared irradiation to achieve synergistic antimicrobial effects. Furthermore, the dynamic chemical bonds in the cross-linked network confer thermoresponsive self-healing ability. In infected skin and abdominal wall defect rat models, the WPU-GO elastomer exhibited potent antimicrobial activity, promoted wound closure, reduced inflammation, and demonstrated excellent antiadhesion and tissue regeneration capabilities. This multifunctional material shows remarkable potential in abdominal wall defect treatment.