Biotextronics System for the Prevention and Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Infections

Abstract

Biotextronics is a new field of knowledge that may help in treatment of lower urinary tract inflammations. These systems have many advantages; e.g., they allow mobility while using, are easy to use, and contain natural materials. While designed and created to be controlled via an app by the user, a doctor could have access to monitor the therapy and its frequency. It is possible to use individual functions in the application tabs: calendar, history, and an online preview. One such solution, a mobile form of a steam bath, is called BioTexPants (version 1.0). It is underwear with a biotextronics four-layer insert containing applied thyme essential oil with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. Six variants of the inserts were investigated with various ratios (1:1; 1:2, and 1:3) of EO to cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose. After heating the inserts to 40 °C, the presence of essential oil volatile compounds released from the inserts was investigated with the use of SPME and CG-MS on the day of their preparation and while in storage (after 7, 14, 28, and 56 days). It is known that thymol, as a main component of the essential oil (42.29%), has very strong antibacterial activity. Its presence was detected for 56 days during storage of all the insert variants. Other compounds of the EO known for their anti-inflammatory effects are carvacrol and α-pinene, which were also detected while storage for various variants of the inserts.

1. Introduction

1.1. Lower Urinary Tract Inflammation

Inflammation of the lower urinary tract occurs 50 times more often in women than in men. This is caused by a short urethra and a short distance between its opening and the vaginal opening and anus. That distance is significant because the leading cause of lower urinary tract inflammation is Escherichia coli, which resides in the large intestine [1,2]. The conducted research shows that 68% of women in Poland try to treat lower urinary tract infections on their own: 20% are sure of their diagnosis at the first infection, and at the next infection, this value increases to 33% [3]. Over-the-counter drugs containing nitrofurantoin, commonly called furasidine are available in pharmacies [4]. Antibiotics are usually used, but their frequent use may lead to vaginal and intestinal dysbiosis, as well as antibiotic resistance of microorganisms. Therefore, implementing preventive actions against lower urinary tract inflammation is highly desirable. Clinical studies have shown that naturally derived substances can effectively help to prevent recurrent infections. Among the most effective are berberine, cranberries, essential oils (EOs), probiotics, and vitamins [5,6]. Additionally, treatment should be supported by a high-protein diet and adequate vitamin C intake. As a prevention and support for the treatment of inflammation of the lower urinary tract, it is recommended to drink cranberry juice from large cranberries or preparations standardized for the presence of proanthocyanidins, which prevent Escherichia coli from adhering to a given substrate and forming a biofilm. Cranberries have a diuretic effect, helping to naturally flush microorganisms from the urinary tract. Cranberry juice also acidifies urine, which also reduces the risk of infections [5].

Home remedies for alleviating symptoms associated with urethral and bladder infections include keeping the body warm. To ease pain in the lower abdomen, warm baths lasting 5–10 min may be beneficial [7]. Adding essential oils with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties—such as chamomile or sage oil—can enhance the therapeutic effect [8]. In addition to pharmacological treatment, steam baths, also known as sitz baths, are a common supportive method in managing lower urinary tract inflammation. Some physicians recommend using them several times a week or even 2–3 times daily during the early stages of treatment, for sessions lasting 15–20 min each. Traditionally, a steam bath involves standing over a bowl of hot water so that the warm water or steam gently bathes the buttocks and hips. Heat increases blood flow, which speeds up healing and reduces discomfort. Various essential oils are often added to water, including from common chamomile or sage, which support treatment and relieve the feeling of discomfort [6]. In the prevention of urinary tract infections, the textile aspect, i.e., the type of underwear worn, is also important. First of all, it should be fresh and not too tight. It is also important that it does not cause excessive heating of intimate areas and does not increase sweating, as this promotes the development of pathogens. Antimicrobial finishing of textiles protects users against pathogenic microorganisms [9]. Underwear can be finished, for example, with silver, which has antibacterial properties [7].

Obtaining aseptic products is also possible by using essential oils, which have antibacterial properties [8]. Introducing essential oils into fabrics is a relatively new area of research that can also be used in textronics applications.

1.2. Textronics and Biotextronics in Healthcare

The development of smart textile technology and wearable electronics has resulted in the emergence of a new area of knowledge, including smart textiles containing electronic components. Therefore, textronics is a synergistic combination of fields such as textiles, electronics, and computer science, as well as knowledge in the field of automation, metrology, and physiology [10,11].

The use of textronics systems enables the creation of applications that contribute to improving the quality of life of users. Textronics products are usually manufactured as everyday clothes, but with electronic systems, power supply systems, and sensors. Modifications of this type should not impair the comfort of wearing the clothing. For this reason, electronic devices integrated with textiles should have the following properties [10]:

• High flexibility;
• Lightness;
• Resistance to mechanical and operational exposure;
• Resistance to moisture (sweat, washing);
• Resistance to weather conditions (variable temperature, rain, humidity).

The minimization of electronic devices and the development of innovative textronics materials have enabled the integration of specialized sensors that monitor vital parameters in everyday clothes. The use of sensors in clothes that measure blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature or ECG makes it possible to detect irregularities and threats to health or life [10]. Textronics applications also enable therapy to be conducted at the point of application; e.g., using electrostimulation or thermostimulation. Possible applications of textronics systems are presented below.

One example of the applications described above is a textronics system for protecting older people. It comes in the form of a T-shirt and does not require specialized personnel to operate it. The system measures basic vital parameters: pulse, respiratory rate, body temperature, and tracks the user’s location inside and outside buildings. It is intended for older people, especially patients in hospitals and nursing homes. If one of the mentioned parameters changes in a life-threatening way, the appropriate medical services are notified. Embedded software allows continuous data collection and generates alarm signals in the form of reports such as SMS or emails for caregivers of the elderly. The used software is Raspberry Pi Pico-series C/C++ SDK (version 2.0). Source code included in the documentation is Copyright © 2020–2024 Raspberry Pi Ltd. (formerly Raspberry Pi (Trading) Ltd.) and licensed under the 3-Clause BSD license. The system also allows elderly people to be remotely monitored in their homes by their family. Textile sensor elements and textile signal lines are implemented in the structure of the clothing and this is the main innovation of this type of system. Moreover, the measurement of physiological parameters is non-invasive, which means that it does not directly interfere with the human body. The system is completely safe because it is powered by a battery, such as those used in mobile phones. The GPS (Global Positioning System) function allows you to determine the patient’s location. The IPS system (intrusion prevention system) indicates the user’s position inside the building [11,12].

Another example of a textronics application is the Baby Tex system, combining the functionality of children’s clothing with elements of measurement electronics, designed to control two vital parameters of young children: body temperature and respiratory rate. The solution makes it possible to detect problems that pose a threat to health and life, especially sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the sudden occurrence of high fever or cold of the body [13].

Electrotherapy is an important part of physical therapy used for therapeutic purposes. The applied electric current can produce a therapeutic effect of the stimulus and analgesic effect (neuromuscular stimulation, pain relief, improvement of tissue perfusion, reduction of muscle tension, alleviation of inflammation, acceleration of the absorption of swelling, improvement of metabolism, tissue regeneration, etc.). An optimal design of textile electrodes intended for muscle electrostimulation has been developed, in the form of a textile knee stiffener or elbow bandage. The system may be useful in the case of muscle spasms as a result of limb immobilization or as a training device [14].

It is possible to use textronics systems with antiseptic properties. A solution was proposed in which the spacer fabric covering a mattress was integrated with a sterilization system using UV-C radiation. This allowed for a significant reduction in the number of microorganisms in the patient’s immediate environment. Fiber optics with UV diodes with wavelengths in the range of 265–275 nm were woven into the structure of the knitted fabric. The conducted research showed that the solution enabled the reduction of microbiological contamination by 60% during 2 h of exposure, at low power of LED sources (3 × 5 mW) [15].

Textronics systems allow creation of applications that contribute to improving the comfort of human life. Textronics products are usually manufactured in the form of everyday clothes containing electronic systems (power systems and sensors) and are used in therapeutic products and vital signs monitoring products. The research included in the scope of the doctoral thesis on which this paper is based was on a combination of textronics and biologically active substances, creating a new concept called biotextronics (Figure 1). Biotextronics systems may use substances of natural origin (essential oils, plant extracts, enzymes) and synthetic substances.

The advantages of biotextronics systems could include multidirectional biological effects (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal). These systems could warn against biological contamination, e.g., of food in production plants, and support pharmacological treatment with substances of natural origin, e.g., in clothing supporting the circulatory system.

The aim of the research was to design, manufacture, and optimize an innovative, biotextronics system with antibacterial activity, intended for use in the prevention and support of the treatment of lower urinary tract inflammation. The developed system is a combination of a textronics system using aseptic essential oils released from an appropriately developed matrix. Our goal was to develop the application for lower urinary tract inflammation treatment. The study examined the composition of thyme essential oil with GC-MS. After preparing model inserts with essential oil, the possibility of releasing volatile compounds of this EO at a temperature of 40 °C and their identification was examined with the use of SPME and GC-MS on the day of their preparation and while in storage (for 7, 14, 28, and 56 days). There were six variants of the investigated inserts with various ratios (1:1; 1:2, and 1:3) of EO to cellulose (C) or microcrystalline cellulose (MC). The aim of that study was to select which of these model inserts released compounds with known antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

2. Materials and Methods

A diagram of the biotextronics system’s clothing package is shown in Figure 2 and the parameters of the used fabrics are shown in

Table 1. Parameters of the fabrics used in the biotextronics insert.

Material Type	Mark on the Figure 2	Surface Mass [g/m2]	Thickness [mm]	Manufacturer
Viscose nonwoven	A	30	0.20	Lentex S.A. (Pabianice, Poland)
Linen knitted fabric	B	114	1.20	PIEGATEX (Bytom, Poland)
Printed cotton knitted fabric	C	150	0.74	PIEGATEX (Bytom, poland)
Cotton fabric	D	150	0.52	Andropol (Lodz, Poland)

. Two materials served as insulation for the textronics heating element (Figure 2-B and D). On the removable liner side (external insulation), it was a loose-weave linen fabric (TEX 67) (PIEGATEX, Bytom, Poland), ensuring heat transfer to the layer containing essential oils (Figure 2-A). On the underwear side (internal insulation), this function was performed by a 150 g/m², 0.52 mm thick cotton fabric (Andropol, Lodz, Poland) (Figure 2-D). This material reduces heat loss from the underwear side, allowing heat to flow to the outer layers of the liner, while the loose-weave knit insulates the heater from the liner containing active substances, while still allowing heat to flow freely to it. Layer C is the heating element of the system and is connected via a textile signal line (2) to the regulation system (3) that ensures maintaining the appropriate temperature during the therapy. The surface resistance of the layer C is 1.077 Ω. Power is supplied via a 5 V lithium-polymer battery. The heating power was 3.5 W and the accuracy of temperature control was ±1 °C.

In biotextronics systems, it is important to select the materials of each element of the biotextronics insert, to select an essential oil with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and to select a substrate that will enable the oil to remain on the insert during storage and to be released under higher temperature during the therapy.

The functionality of the system developed as part of this work, apart from the use of increased temperature, was also determined by its implementation in the form of reusable underwear with a disposable outer insert that contains essential oil. This ensures comfort and mobility of use. The use of essential oils, not typical pharmaceutical drugs, means that the system is not a medical product and can be freely available for sale. The use of electroconductive materials and electronics coupled with the underwear causes the release of active compounds from the biotextronics insert in a programmable manner. After putting on the underwear, the user places a replaceable insert with active substances in it and programs the temperature of 40 °C on the temperature regulator. The temperature of 40 °C was chosen as the temperature close to the that of the human body. Moreover, it has been shown that exposure to 40 °C for 4 h increases human skin permeability to drugs and NASA states that the range between 15 and 43 °C is safe for the human body [16,17]. The proposed duration of therapy is 20 min, as that is the time of a regular steam bath. After completing the therapy session, the regulator can be disconnected from the system, the replaceable part of the insert can be thrown away, and the remaining part of the system can be left at the therapy site to gradually cool down the underwear and intimate areas.

2.1. Materials

Materials used in the outer insert preparation are listed in

Table 2. Materials used in the outer insert preparation.

Compound	Producer	Target of Using
Nonwoven viscose	Lentex S.A. (Lubliniec, Poland)	Outer insert layer for EO immobilization
Thyme essential oil	Avicenna Oil® (Wrocław, Poland)	Antibacterial activity
Cellulose/microcrystalline cellulose	RETTENMAIER Polska Sp. z o.o. (Warszawa, Poland)	Carrier for EO
Agar-agar	Sigma-Aldrich® (St. Louis, MO, USA)	Film for EO immobilization

.

Characteristics of thyme EO are presented in

Table 3. Characteristics of thyme EO.

Organoleptic Description	Analytical Data	Chromatographic Profile
Clear liquid, yellow to dark reddish-brown in color, with a strong odor of thymol	Density (at 20 °C): 0.915–0.935 g/cm3 Refractive index (at 20 °C): 1.490–1.505 Optical rotation: −7° to +3° Flash point: 58 °C	α-thujene: 0.2–1.5% β-myrcene: 1.0–3.0% α-terpinene: 0.9–2.6% ρ-cymene: 14.0–28.0% γ-terpinene: 4.0–12.0% linalool: 1.5–6.5% terpinen-4-ol: 0.1–2.5% methyl carvacrol ether: 0.05–1.5% thymol: 37.0–55.0% carvacrol: 0.5–5.5%

.

2.2. Methods

2.2.1. Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

The quantitative and qualitative composition of the gas phase above the model inserts was analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The analysis was performed with a Pegasus 4D gas chromatograph connected to a TOF MS spectrometer (LECO, St. Joseph, MI, USA).

First-dimension column: Stabilwax-DA (Restek, Lisses, France), 30 m in length, 0.25 mm internal diameter, and 0.25 µm stationary phase film thickness.

Second-dimension column: BPX-50 (SGE Analytical Science, Ringwood, Australia), 2 m in length, 0.1 mm internal diameter, and 0.1 µm stationary phase film thickness.

Carrier gas: helium, with a constant flow rate of 1 mL/min.

First-dimension oven temperature program: 50 °C (1 min), ramped at 4 °C/min to 245 °C, held for 30 min.

Second-dimension oven temperature program: offset by +5 °C relative to the first dimension.

Two-stage modulator cooled to −80 °C; modulation period: 8 s; cold pulse duration: 2.4 s; hot pulse duration: 1.6 s (+20 °C compared to the first-dimension oven).

SSL injector temperature: 250 °C, split ratio 1:30.

Transfer line temperature: 280 °C.

TOF mass spectrometer settings: detector voltage 1600 V, ion source temperature 200 °C, ionization energy 70 eV, mass range 33–350 amu, and scan rate 150 spectra/s.

Compounds were identified through chromatographic analysis based on their mass spectra, retention indices, and retention times, which were compared with data from the Wiley, Adams, and NIST libraries.

GC–MS was also employed to detect compounds released during solid phase microextraction (SPME).

All tests were performed three times to confirm the repeatability of the results.

2.2.2. Model Insert Preparation

The model inserts were prepared to match the dimensions of the SPME vials. Circular pieces of viscose, 2.2 cm in diameter, were cut and placed into the vials. Agar was dissolved in hot water with continuous stirring, then cooled, and a mixture of essential oil with cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose was added. Subsequently, 3.2 mL of the agar–cellulose–essential oil mixture was poured onto the inserts inside the vials. These prepared inserts served as model materials for analyzing volatile compounds in the gas phase above them at 40 °C—the temperature used in therapy—immediately after preparation (time 0) and after 7, 14, 28, and 56 days of storage. All samples were stored at 20 °C, 1013.25 hPa, humidity 55%, and without exposure to light.

2.2.3. Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME)

Thyme essential oil was applied to the model insert and immobilized using an agar film with added cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose, forming a model system. Volatile compounds released from the essential oil under elevated temperature conditions (40 °C) were collected using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and identified through gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS).

SPME conditions:

• Temperature: 40 °C;
• Conditioning time (taq): 5 and 10 min;
• Extraction time (tex): 20 min;
• No stirring;
• Fiber: DVB/CAR/PDMS (ternary phase; Sigma-Aldrich, USA).

3. Results

3.1. Chemical Compounds

Thirty-eight chemical compounds were identified in common thyme essential oil (Figure 3,

Table 4. Chemical composition of thyme essential oil; the results are presented as an average value of three repetitions with ±SD.

No.	Chemical Compounds	Content in EO [%]	Content According to Manufacturer’s Specifications Avicenna Oil [%]	Content According to European Pharmacopoeia 7 [%]
1	Tricyclene	0.04 ± 0.00	NA	NA
2	α-Thujene	1.28 ± 0.03	0.2–1.5	NA
3	α-Pinene	1.81 ± 0.03	NA	NA
4	Camphene	1.08 ± 0.02	NA	NA
5	β-Pinene	0.25 ± 0.00 1.81 ± 0.03	NA	NA
6	Pseudolimonene	0.05 ± 0.00	NA	NA
7	α-Phellandrene	0.09 ± 0.01	NA	NA
8	Hydroxy-trans-sabinene	0.05 ± 0.00	NA	NA
9	α-Terpinene	1.78 ± 0.04	0.9–2.6	NA
10	p-Cymene	23.84 ± 1.01	14.0–28.0	15.0–28.0
11	β-Cymene	0.05 ± 0.00	NA	NA
12	1.8-Cineole	0.62 ± 0.02	NA	NA
13	Limonene	0.76 ± 0.02	NA	NA
14	γ-Terpinene	9.04 ± 0.27	4.0–12.0	5.0–10.0
15	cis-Sabinene hydrate	0.04 ± 0.00	NA	NA
16	cis-Linalool oxide	0.03 ± 0.00	NA	NA
17	α-Terpinolene	0.20 ± 0.00	NA	NA
18	Linalool	5.73 ± 0.65	1.5–6.5	4.0–6.5
19	Camphor	0.13 ± 0.01	NA	NA
20	Camphor	0.05 ± 0.00	NA	NA
21	trans-Borneole	1.04 ± 0.04	NA	NA
22	Terpinen-4-ol	0.72 ± 0.06	0.1–2.5	0.2–2.5
23	α-Terpineol	0.96 ± 0.05	NA	NA
24	Methyl carvacrol ether	0.26 ± 0.02	0.05–1.5	NA
25	Linalyl anthranilate	0.03 ± 0.00	NA	NA
26	Linalyl anthranilate	0.06 ± 0.00	NA	NA
27	Thymol	42.29 ± 2.25	37.0–55.0	36.0–55.0

NA—not applicable.

). Thymol was found in the largest amount (42.29%). This amount is consistent with both the chromatographic profile of the manufacturer, Avicenna Oil, and the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia (37.0–55.0%; 36.0–55.0%, respectively), as well as literature data (10.0–85.0% [18,19]. Other chemical compounds present in the majority of quantities were: p-cymene (23.84% and 0.05%), γ-terpinene (9.04%), and linalool (5.73%). The percentage content of p-cymene and γ-terpinene was consistent with both the oil manufacturer’s specifications, the European Pharmacopoeia, and the data reported in the literature (respectively: specification: 14.0–28.0%, FE: 15.0–28.0% and literature: 8–44% for p-cymene and specification: 4.0–12.0%, FE: 5.0–10.0% and literature: 0.1–50.0% for γ-terpinene) [20]. Linalool (5.73%) (according to the manufacturer’s specifications: 1.5–6.5%, according to FE: 4.0–6.5%) is reported in the literature to be present in thyme essential oil at levels of up to 4%. Terpinen-4-ol was detected at 0.72%, which is consistent with both the oil manufacturer’s specifications and the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia (0.1–2.5% and 0.2–2.5%, respectively). α-Thujene was detected at 1.28%, while carvacrol methyl ether was found at 0.25%, which is consistent with the chromatographic profile provided by the oil manufacturer (Avicenna Oil, Poland) (0.2–1.5% and 0.05–1.5%, respectively). These compounds are not listed in the requirements for thyme oil in the European Pharmacopoeia.

The presence of β-myrcene, listed as one of the main ingredients in the manufacturer’s specifications and in the European Pharmacopoeia, was not detected in thyme oil.

The antimicrobial activity of thyme essential oil is primarily attributed to the presence of thymol [19]. Thymol was the main component in the tested oil. The content of α- and β-pinenes, 1,8-cineole, and p-cymene also influences the antiseptic properties of thyme oil [9,21]. This oil was used in further research on the biotextronics insert.

The total number of compounds detected in the headspace of the cellulose–agar media with thyme essential oil is shown in

Table 5. Quantitative composition of volatile compounds in the gas phase above agar-cellulose matrices with thyme EO: C—cellulose; MC—microcrystalline cellulose.

Time of Storage [Days]	Total Number of Identified Compounds
	EO:C			EO:MC
	1:1	1:2	1:3	1:1	1:2	1:3
0	16	19	19	20	21	27
7	15	5	9	10	10	8
14	6	4	5	5	7	4
28	4	4	5	3	2	2
56	5	3	6	5	5	3

. For each matrix with incorporated essential oil, the major compounds were identified and recorded after specific incubation periods. During storage of the inserts within the model systems, a gradual decrease in the number of compounds present in the headspace was observed.

In the headspace above the thyme oil matrices, on the day of their preparation, 16 to 19 compounds were identified for the cellulose matrix and 20–27 compounds for the microcrystalline cellulose matrix. The highest number of detected compounds was found in the system with a 1:3 EO:CM ratio. After 7 days of matrix storage, 5–15 compounds were detected in the atmosphere above the cellulose inserts and 8–10 above the microcrystalline cellulose inserts (the highest number in the EO:C 1:1 system). During the remaining insert storage periods (14, 28, and 56 days), the number of detected compounds ranged from 3 to 6 for the cellulose matrix and from 2 to 7 for the microcrystalline cellulose matrix. Changes in the chemical composition of the headspace phase of the insert were observed during its storage, indicating a decreasing number of compounds determined above the insert surface, probably caused by changes in the absorption of compounds by the agar-cellulose film.

Table 6. Lists of compounds identified in the gas phase above the surface of agar-cellulose matrices with cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose and thyme essential oil; the results are presented as an average value of three repetitions with ±SD.

No.	Chemical Compounds	EO:C			EO:MC			EO
		1:1	1:2	1:3	1:1	1:2	1:3
On the day of preparation
1	α-Thujene	0.39 ± 0.01	0.46 ± 0.02	0.41 ± 0.03	0.36 ± 0.02	0.35 ± 0.02	0.37 ± 0.03	1.28
2	α-Pinene	0.73 ± 0.03	0.65 ± 0.04	0.60 ± 0.03	0.49 ± 0.03	0.62 ± 0.04	0.59 ± 0.01	1.81
3	Camphene	0.52 ± 0.02	0.50 ± 0.03	0.59 ± 0.05	0.43 ± 0.03	0.41 ± 0.02	0.47 ± 0.00	1.08
4	Myrcene	1.52 ± 0.05	1.46 ± 0.04	1.83 ± 0.05	1.84 ± 0.05	1.71 ± 0.05	1.72 ± 0.05	ND
5	γ-Terpinene	1.14 ± 0.03	1.03 ± 0.05	1.46 ± 0.04	1.54 ± 0.05	1.88 ± 0.06	2.10 ± 0.06	9.04
6	p-Cymene	51.10 ± 2.01	41.22 ± 1.52	47.61 ± 1.43	48.98 ± 1.50	36.24 ± 1.12	32.17 ± 0.98	ND
7	Limonene	2.24 ± 0.08	2.23 ± 0.08	2.37 ± 0.71	2.20 ± 0.06	1.94 ± 0.05	1.94 ± 0.06	0.76
8	α-Phellandrene	ND	ND	ND	ND	1.98 ± 0.05	0.15 ± 0.01	ND
9	Sabinene	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	1.93 ± 0.05	ND
10	1.8-Cineol	2.86 ± 0.08	2.21 ± 0.08	3.45 ± 0.09	3.27 ± 0.08	1.93 ± 0.05	1.93 ± 0.06	0.62
11	β-Ocimene	ND	19.49 ± 0.85	ND	ND	17.88 ± 0.85	18.30 ± 0.91	ND
12	β-Ocimene	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	0.28	ND
13	γ-Terpinene	21.38 ± 0.64	19.49 ± 0.59	22.12 ± 0.68	20.54 ± 0.71	17.88 ± 0.59	16.37 ± 0.55	ND
14	Terpinolene	ND	0.23 ± 0.01	0.48 ± 0.02	0.27 ± 0.01	0.30 ± 0.01	0.40 ± 0.02	ND
15	Linalool	5.69 ± 0.17	3.55 ± 0.11	5.67 ± 0.11	7.61 ± 0.15	4.09 ± 0.98	4.18 ± 0.13	5.73
16	Camphor	ND	ND	ND	0.39±	ND	0.17 ± 0.01	ND
17	Borneole	0.41 ± 0.02	0.18 ± 0.01	0.41 ± 0.04	0.50 ± 0.05	0.29 ± 0.02	0.24 ± 0.01	ND
18	Terpinen-4-ol	0.33 ± 0.01	0.26 ± 0.02	0.48 ± 0.04	0.59 ± 0.05	0.36 ± 0.01	0.29 ± 0.02	0.72
19	α-Terpineol	ND	ND	0.23 ± 0.01	0.42 ± 0.04	0.15 ± 0.02	0.15 ± 0.01	0.96
20	Methyl carvacrol ether	0.40 ± 0.01	0.24 ± 0.01	0.68 ± 0.02	0.44 ± 0.01	0.35 ± 0.02	0.56 ± 0.03	ND
21	Thymol	2.93 ± 0.05	2.52 ± 0.07	3.46 ± 0.10	4.17 ± 0.15	3.15 ± 0.98	3.75 ± 0.17	42.29
22	Carvacrol	ND	0.27 ± 0.01	0.23 ± 0.01	0.29 ± 0.02	0.22 ± 0.01	0.25 ± 0.01	2.87
23	Kopaene	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	0.13 ± 0.00	0.04
24	β-Caryophyllene	7.99 ± 0.22	3.74 ± 0.11	7.41 ± 0.25	5.43 ± 0.18	7.86 ± 0.28	10.56 ± 0.34	2.42
25	Aromadendrene	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	0.16 ± 0.01	ND
26	α-Caryophyllene	0.37 ± 0.02	0.24 ± 0.02	0.40 ± 0.02	0.25 ± 0.01	0.40 ± 0.03	0.63 ± 0.03	0.15
27	δ-Cadinene	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	0.17 ± 0.01	ND
After 7 days
1	α-Thujene	0.31 ± 0.01	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	NA
2	α-Pinene	0.63 ± 0.02	ND	ND	1.76 ± 0.05	ND	ND	NA
3	Camphene	0.40 ± 0.02	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	NA
4	Myrcene	1.55 ± 0.04	ND	ND	1.10 ± 0.03	1.69 ± 0,05	ND	NA
5	p-Cymene	58.19 ± 1.77	37.35 ± 1.12	46.70 ± 1.54	36.80 ± 1.32	48.46 ± 1.57	53.63 ± 1.63	NA
6	β-Ocimene	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	NA
7	Limonene	1.91 ± 0.56	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	NA
8	1.8-Cineole	3.59 ± 0.11	8.57 ± 0.22	7.31 ± 0.22	6.88 ± 0.21	6.56 ± 0.18	6.37 ± 0.15	NA
9	γ-Terpinene	14.64 ± 0.42	6.29 ± 0.17	5.34 ± 0.16	13.95 ± 0.42	9.24 ± 0.28	9.61 ± 0.30	NA
10	Linalool	8.07 ± 0.25	30.77 ± 0.85	18.80 ± 0.57	17.03 ± 0.47	16.17 ± 0.45	13.71 ± 0.38	NA
11	Camphor	0.83 ± 0.04	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	NA
12	Borneole	0.47 ± 0.01	ND	0.92 ± 0.03	1.36 ± 0.04	1.26 ± 0.03	1.44 ± 0.05	NA
13	Terpinen-4-ol	0.61 ± 0.02	ND	2.79 ± 0.08	1.70 ± 0.04	1.22 ± 0.03	1.28 ± 0.04	NA
14	Thymol methyl ether	0.40 ± 0.01	ND	1.07 ± 0.03	ND	1.29 ± 0.04	ND	NA
15	Thymol	4.41 ± 0.14	17.01 ± 0.51	14.10 ± 0.42	17.34 ± 0.46	9.66 ± 0.30	10.17 ± 0.28	NA
16	β-Caryophyllene	4.00 ± 0.13	ND	2.97 ± 0.09	2.08 ± 0.06	4.45 ± 0.14	3.78 ± 0.11	NA
After 14 days
1	p-Cymene	32.75 ± 1.02	9.88 ± 0.30	5.21 ± 0.16	20.63 ± 0.62	17.18 ± 0.48	7.11 ± 0.23	NA
2	1.8-Cineole	3.72 ± 0.11	9.53 ± 0.27	14.42 ± 0.48	13.17 ± 0.41	9.90 ± 0.33	11.35 ± 0.34	NA
3	γ-Terpinene	5.04 ± 0.15	ND	ND	ND	4.09 ± 0.12	ND	NA
4	Linalool	30.16 ± 0.92	44.10 ± 1.28	38.23 ± 1.20	37.19 ± 1.18	33.09 ± 1.02	40.93 ± 1.11	NA
5	Camphor	5.58 ± 0.16	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	NA
6	Borneole	ND	ND	3.30 ± 0.09	2.32 ± 0.07	4.16 ± 0.14	ND	NA
7	Terpinen-4-ol	ND	ND	ND	ND	5.11 ± 0.17	ND	NA
8	Thymol	22.74 ± 0.71	36.49 ± 1.15	38.84 ± 1.18	26.69 ± 0.79	26.48 ± 0.80	40.61 ± 1.21	NA
After 28 days
1	p-Cymene	5.70 ± 0.18	ND	3.47 ± 0.11	ND	ND	ND	NA
2	1.8-Cineole	ND	6.18 ± 0.19	10.35 ± 0.33	9.64 ± 0.27	ND	18.06 ± 0.55	NA
3	Linalool	44.87 ± 1.35	31.32 ± 0.95	43.78 ± 1.36	46.97 ± 1.48	43.47 ± 1.40	ND	NA
4	Camphor	9.38 ± 0.33	22.90 ± 0.82	ND	ND	ND	ND	NA
5	Borneole	ND	ND	3.33 ± 0.11	ND	ND	ND	NA
6	Thymol	40.05 ± 1.12	39.61 ± 1.07	39.08 ± 1.05	43.40 ± 1.21	56.53 ± 1.35	81.94 ± 2.45	NA
After 56 days
1	Linalool	38.42 ± 1.24	30.08 ± 0.84	37.91 ± 1.18	37.73 ± 1.15	29.22 ± 0.83	31.06 ± 0.92	NA
2	Camphor	10.27 ± 0.33	17.24 ± 0.47	ND	12.60 ± 0.40	11.08 ± 0.38	ND	NA
3	Borneole	ND	ND	1.43 ± 0.04	ND	ND	ND	NA
4	Terpinen-4-ol	5.68 ± 0.18	ND	6.32 ± 0.20	6.02 ± 0.18	4.32 ± 0.15	12.77 ± 0.39	NA
5	α-Terpineole	ND	ND	4.25 ± 0.14	ND	ND	ND	NA
6	Thymol	42.41 ± 1.44	52.68 ± 1.62	47.98 ± 1.44	39.42 ± 1.21	50.58 ± 1.57	56.17 ± 1.75	NA
7	Carvacrol	3.22 ± 0.10	ND	2.11 ± 0.65	4.22 ± 0.15	4.80 ± 0.22	ND	NA

EO—essential oil; C—cellulose; MC—microcrystalline cellulose; ND—not detected; NA—not applicable.

lists compounds identified in the gas phase above the surface of agar-cellulose matrices with cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose and chamomile essential oil.

On the day of testing, the presence of 16 chemical compounds was detected in the headspace above all matrices: β-thujene, α-pinene, camphene, myrcene, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, γ-terpinene, linalool, borneol, terpinen-4-ol, carvacrol methyl ether, thymol, β-caryophyllene, and α-caryophyllene. In the thyme essential oil, five of the abovementioned compounds were outside the detection and quantification ranges for the given method: myrcene, p-cymene, γ-terpinene, borneol, and carvacrol methyl ether. The predominant compound in the headspace in the model system was p-cymene, ranging from 32.17% to 51.10%.

In the headspace above the insert, compounds not previously identified in thyme essential oil were detected: myrcene, p-cymene, α-phellandrene, sabinene, β-ocimene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, camphor, borneol, carvacrol methyl ether, aromadendrene, and δ-cadinene. According to the literature, all of these compounds are present in the essential oil [22]. After 7 days of incubation of the inserts in the headspace above all tested matrices, the presence of five compounds was detected: p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, γ-terpinene, linalool, and thymol. Borneol, terpinen-4-ol, and β-caryophyllene were also identified above most of the matrices; they were not detected only for the EO:C 1:2 system. After 14 days of insert storage, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and thymol were detected above all matrices. After 28 days of matrix incubation, thymol was detected in the headspace of all matrices, and after 56 days of incubation, linalool was additionally detected, which was not detected on the 28th day only for the EO:MC 1:3 system.

In thyme oil applications, the anti-inflammatory effect is attributed to carvacrol and α-pinene. Carvacrol was detected on the day of preparation of the matrices for the essential oil–cellulose system in 1:2 and 1:3 ratios and in all inserts with microcrystalline cellulose. Its presence was also detected after 56 days of incubation for the EO:C 1:1 and 1:3 inserts (3.22% and 2.11%, respectively) and EO:MC 1:1 and 1:2 inserts (4.22% and 4.80%, respectively). α-Pinene was determined for all matrices on the day of their preparation (from 0.49% to 0.73%) and after 7 days in the essential oil–cellulose 1:1 (0.63%) and essential oil–microcrystalline cellulose 1:1 (1.76%) systems. After 14, 28, and 56 days of insert incubation, no α-pinene was detected in the headspace.

Thymol has strong anti-bactericidal, -fungicidal, and -parasitic effects [20]. Its antibacterial properties have been found to be three times stronger than those of thyme oil. Antibacterial activity has also been attributed to camphor, α- and β-pinenes, 1,8-cineole, and p-cymene [23,24,25]

Thymol was detected in all tested matrices for each storage period. On the day of testing, its amount in the headspace ranged from 2.52% to 4.17%. p-Cymene and 1,8-cineole were detected in the headspace of all matrices on the day of testing, as well as after 7 (36.80–58.19% and 3.59–8.57%, respectively) and 14 days of incubation (5.21–32.75% and 3.72–14.42%, respectively), where they constituted the main components. After 28 days of storage, p-cymene was detected only in the headspace of the cellulose matrices (EO:C 1:1 (5.70%) and 1:3 (3.47%), while 1,8-cineole was detected in the EO:C 1:2 (6.18%) and 1:3 (10.35%) systems and EO:MC 1:1 (9.64%) and 1:3 (18.06%) systems. No p-cymene or 1,8-cineole was detected after 56 days of incubation of the matrices. Camphor was identified after 7 days of incubation of EO:C 1:1 inserts (0.83%), after 14 days of incubation of EO:C 1:1 matrix (5.58%), after 28 days of storage of EO:C 1:1 and 1:2 inserts (9.38% and 22.90%, respectively), and after 56 days of their incubation (10.27% and 17.24%, respectively).

3.2. Software

From the point of view of system functionality, it is important to manage the course of therapy using the application. The designed biotextronics system was named BioTexPants and was managed by a web application of the same name embedded on the Synology DS1010+ data server. The biotextronics system, apart from the hardware part (insert + underwear), consists of a control module and a software part. The software allows archiving the time of individual therapies on a data server. Data regarding the intensity of therapy can be viewed and analyzed after logging in to the server, access to which is secured with a login and password set by the user and managed by the administrator. The server is designed to inform the user about planned therapy dates by displaying alerts in the form of defined colors. The software was created as an application on a server, so it can be run on various hardware platforms with web browsers. The software was designed in such a way as to enable the simplest and most intuitive operation of the system. The application operation diagram is shown in Figure 4. The arrows show the information transfer between the patient and the doctor and back with the use of the application.

The textronics insert control unit, together with the communication module, connects to the data server. Access to your personal account via the website is by logging in using established names and passwords. Accounts are divided into two groups: users (people using therapy) and administrators (doctors supervising therapy), depending on the assigned permissions. At the administrator level, it is possible to add devices (further biotextronics systems), assign them names, data, and alert levels, etc. Users can supervise the therapy (function of monitoring performed treatments and planning subsequent treatments). From this level, you only have access to alerts, and you can view events and alert history in a separate tab. Individual notifications are marked with a time variable and a device number.

It is very important to monitor the frequency of the therapy with the doctor even if it is only a preventive treatment, because lower urinary tract inflammations are known to be recurring. If a urinary tract infection occurs at least 3 times in a year or 2 times in 6 months, it is said to have recurred. Every fifth sexually active woman struggles with this problem [9]. A study conducted in 1987 showed that economic losses due to interstitial cystitis were estimated at USD 1.7 billion per year [24].

The application is available for various mobile devices: smartphones, tablets or notebooks. The requirement to use it is a web browser and the type of operating system (Android/iOS/Windows) does not matter. The main application panel (screenshot) supporting login pages is shown in Figure 5. The home application is the login page.

The functional diagram of the BioTexPants application is shown in Figure 6. The application panel was divided into two levels (W1 and W2). From the W1 level, registration and login to the application takes place using a password set by the user. Level W2 includes support for application functions, both on the administrator and user side. The administrator has the ability to add users, modify their profiles, view the history of use and online operation of the device. When planning therapy, the user can use the calendar function, with the option of sending therapy reminders via the device. There is also a tab with the history of therapies performed and their duration. The user can also turn the device on and off online, set the system to turn off automatically after 20 min, and use the safety switch. The application also provides information about the time since the start of therapy and the temperature of the insert.

It is possible to use individual functions in the application tabs: calendar, history, and online preview of work. In the calendar it is possible to plan subsequent therapies with the option of sending a reminder. In the history tab, the user can view all previous treatments including the time they were performed. The PREVIEW tab allows patients to view ongoing therapy and provides information about the system temperature and the time remaining until the end of a single use.

4. Discussion and Conclusions

A study conducted in 1987 estimated that the economic losses due to interstitial cystitis were at USD 1.7 billion annually [26]. That number has increased to USD 3.5 billion in the USA, while in Europe it is USD 1.5 billion [26]. BioTexPants makes it possible to replace uncomfortable conventional therapy with new, convenient systems in which essential oils with healing properties are applied to a textile base. It allows mobility while using and would also contribute to reducing these costs.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, people are more willing to use telemedicine and avoid visiting the doctor in person. A US study involving 36 million working-age individuals with private insurance claims found that telemedicine visits rose by 766% during the first three months of the pandemic—jumping from 0.3% of all medical interactions between March and June 2019 to 23.6% during the same period in 2020. Similarly, research conducted by Doximity, an online medical networking platform representing about 1.8 million physicians (approximately 80% of the US physician workforce), estimated—based on private claims data—that around 20% of all healthcare visits in 2020 were delivered via telemedicine [27]. BioTexPants enables remote contact with a doctor who can monitor treatment via an app, which is why it would be well received by women who suffer from lower urinary tract infections.

The big advantage of the BioTexPants is the use of natural substances such as essential oils. Increasing consumer awareness of the benefits of natural materials in textile finishing has led to a growing demand for their use. Medical textile finishing can be achieved using essential oils from natural sources such as lavender, thyme, and vetiver oil, as well as herbal extracts including chamomile tea leaves, turmeric, neem leaves, and others [28]. During the pandemic, people started to become interested in natural medicine and essential oils have been used for centuries for healing. The Guardian reports companies such as Tisserand have seen sales of essential oils increase by up to 400%. The authors of the article explained that, in times of uncertainty and stress, people look for simple, tangible ways to take care of themselves and control their immediate environment [29]

Cosmetotextiles are textiles infused with cosmetic preparations, primarily intended for dermatological applications. The bioactive compounds are released upon contact with the skin. Incorporating active ingredients into cosmetotextiles enhances their effectiveness, as these systems can serve as reservoirs that allow for gradual and controlled release. Both synthetic and natural ingredients—such as iron oxide, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, ranitidine derivatives, aloe vera, ginseng, fruits, essential oils, and floral extracts—are used as cosmetic components in cosmetotextiles. These compounds can be applied directly to the textile or introduced through advanced functionalization techniques such as cyclodextrin inclusion, microencapsulation, or nanotechnology [30].

The main technology used in the production of cosmetic textiles is controlled-release encapsulation. This approach includes techniques such as microencapsulation, molecular encapsulation, and the use of liposomes, which enhance the functional properties of textiles. Encapsulated essential oils are applied in textiles for various purposes, including antibacterial, cosmetic, therapeutic, and mosquito-repellent functions [31]. In the study, the authors used agar-cellulose film with cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose. While in storage, there were observed changes in the chemical composition of the gas phase above the insert, indicating a reduction in the number of compounds—likely due to variations in the absorption capacity of the cellulose-agar film. In the pharmaceutical industry, cellulose is widely used in controlled release preparations [32]. In the case of BioTexPants, either pure cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose combined with an agar film would be used. No significant differences were observed in the amount of compounds released between the two cellulose types.

The mentioned essential oil that would be the part of the system is from thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). The high antibacterial activity of that essential oil is attributed to volatile compounds such as thymol, α- and β-pinenes, 1,8-cineole, and p-cymene [23,24,25]. Based on that data, it can be expected that the strongest antibacterial properties will be obtained for all systems on the day of production of the inserts, after 7 and 14 days of storage, and for the EO:C 1:3 system.

Thyme oil in the concentration 0.054 µL/cm³ in the gas phase limited the growth of two species of Staphylococcus bacteria, S. saprophyticus and S. epidermidis, by 2.9% and 26.7%, respectively. It also inhibited the growth of other bacteria species that cause lower urinary tract infections, such as Escherichia coli (by 2.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (by 14.4%), and Enterococcus faecalis (by 14.8%) [14].

The thyme essential oil has also anti-inflammatory properties. It is used in preparations used to treat rheumatic, joint and muscle pain as well as neuralgia [18,20]. The antibacterial activity in the gas phase of the essential oil releasing from the textile material (nonwoven viscose) that was used for an outer insert has been proven in previous research. Therefore, the next step described will be an investigation of the antibacterial properties of the insert in laboratory conditions similar to real ones.

Based on the literature and the investigation of chemical compounds obtained above the insert, we can assume that the biotextronics system will be useful in preventive and anti-inflammatory treatment against lower urinary track inflammations. The described research is currently at the fifth level of technology readiness. The authors intend to obtain approval from the Medical Bioethics Committee to conduct research involving human participants, particularly women.