Compounds, systems, and methods are provided for the design and assembly of a non-invasive, analyte sensing dressing. The dressing can be therapeutic. The dressing includes a sensor and a matrix. The sensor is capable of detecting analytes such as molecular oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitric oxides, dissolved analytes in plasma, and hydrogen ions. The matrix is at least partially permeable to the analyte. The device emits a detectable signal when the sensor is excited in the presence of the analyte. In one version of the dressing, the sensor includes a meso-unsubstituted metallated porphyrin that is sensitive towards oxygen. The metallated porphyrin can be excited when illuminated at a first wavelength, followed by emission of phosphorescence at a second wavelength whose intensity can be used as an indicator for oxygen concentration.
