Device including a polymeric material for detecting species and stimulus and method of using thereof

A method for detecting a microbe or a pH change due to the presence of a microbe, comprising:

• providing a device comprising a wound contacting surface, wherein the wound contacting surface comprises a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material comprises:
• a semi-interpenetrating network of a polyurethane and a hydrophilic polymer, wherein the hydrophilic polymer comprises a polyacrylamide or a copolymer thereof:
• a first moiety comprising an antibiotics or a derivative of antibiotics modified to be devoid of antibiotic activity configured to bind the microbe, or an acid group that becomes charged at a different pH, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is configured to change from a coiled configuration to a globular configuration in response to the detection of the microbe or the change on the acid group;
• a second moiety as an indicator comprising a solvatochromic dye configured to change color in response to the hydrophilic polymer being changed from the coiled configuration to the globular configuration, wherein the second moiety is different from the first moiety;
• and
• wherein the first moiety and the second moiety and the second moiety are covalently bonded to the hydrophilic polymer;
• applying the wound contacting surface in or on the wound;
• and detecting a change in color in the indicator.