Self-Pumping Wound Dressing Based on Hollow Multistage Channel-Structured Kapok Fibers for Exudate Management

Optimized management of wound exudate is pivotal in modulating the wound healing microenvironment and facilitating tissue regeneration. Conventional dressings, however, are constrained by limited absorption capacity and a slow drainage rate, frequently resulting in excessive exudate accumulation that hinders the healing process. In this study, we developed hydrophilic kapok fiber gauze (H-KG) and Janus kapok fiber gauze (J-KG) through a sustainable and scalable hydroentanglement forming process combined with chemical modification, leveraging the unique hollow tubular structure of kapok fibers. H-KG and J-KG achieved rapid absorption, high capacity storage, and efficient evaporation through synergistic wettability modulation and capillary action-enhanced liquid transport within the hollow structure. The kapok fiber-based gauze demonstrated remarkable sustainable liquid self-pumping capabilities, exhibiting a saturation absorption rate of approximately 1346% with complete liquid evaporation achieved within 1 h. In vivo experiments revealed that both H-KG and J-KG significantly mitigated wound exudate accumulation compared with cotton gauze (CG), thereby accelerating wound healing. Quantitative analysis showed that on day 12 post-treatment, the H-KG and J-KG exhibited residual wound areas measuring 48.23% and 34.41%, respectively, of CG. This work elucidated the mechanistic role of hollow fiber in exudate management while proposing an innovative wound dressing with dynamic fluid regulation capabilities.