A Smart Fibrous Platform with a Gradient Hierarchical Structure for Wound Exudate Management and Real-time Spatial pH Monitoring

Abstract

Wound treatment is a major global clinical challenge associated with substantial economic burden and a negative impact on patient quality. The clinical translation of advanced wound dressings is hindered by fabrication complexity for exudate control and the inadequacy of single-point sensors. Here, a smart fibrous platform consisting of a fibrous membrane and a wireless five-channel optoelectronic circuit was proposed for directional exudate transport, real-time spatial pH monitoring, and wound-healing promotion. Inspired by vascular plants, the gradient hierarchically designed fibrous membrane composed of polycaprolactone, collagen, and anthocyanin was fabricated through a single-solution continuous electrospinning process by adjusting spinning flow rate and driving directional exudate transport from the wound to the exterior. The anthocyanin color changes were converted to voltage by a wireless five-channel optoelectronic circuit, enabling spatial pH monitoring in the pH range of 3–11 with a sensitivity of 37 mV/pH and allowing for the early detection of wound infection by capturing its unique early peripheral alkalinization. The platform also demonstrated excellent cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility with potent antibacterial efficacy (>97%). In vivo assays and histopathological studies suggest that the platform accelerates wound closure by about 17.5% over commercial gauze while promoting collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and inflammatory factors expression reduction. By unifying an engineered exudate management mechanism with spatially resolved diagnostics and bioactive therapy, this work offers a new paradigm for the rational design of intelligent wound care platforms.

Keywords

Smart textiles / Electrospun fibrous / Exudate management / Spatial pH monitoring / Wearable electronics

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Funding

the National Key R&D Program of China(2024YFC3016603)

the National Natural Science Foundation of China(62404151)

the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2024M752381)

the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF(GZB20240527)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Donghua University, Shanghai, China