With the continuous search for alternative treatment for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), the use of synthetic scaffolds as a prospect is becoming a forefront in regenerative medicine. This study aimed to fabricate and evaluate the effects of varying electrospinning parameters (the applied voltage, spinning distance and flowrate) to the fiber diameter and pore size of the scaffolds produced using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Electrospun scaffolds were subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and strain apparatus to assess structural and tensile properties. Results showed that applied voltage, spinning distance, and flowrate directly affect the overall pore size and fiber diameter of the electrospun scaffolds, as well as resulting in a direct effect to the tensile strength of the electrospun scaffold. The optimal values for the parameters in fabricating a PVDF electrospun scaffold would be a voltage of 20kV, a spinning distance of 100mm and a flowrate of 0.5ml/h. Results also show that spinning distance and flowrate have statistically more impact on the outcome of the fiber diameters, while applied voltage and spinning have statistically more impact on the outcome of the pore sizes. Moreover, the electrospun scaffolds acquired thinner fiber diameters and smaller pores sizes when compared to that of the native kidney tissue. Nonetheless, the promising mechanical integrity of the electrospun PVDF-based scaffolds offer a potential approach to addressing ESRD.

Pressure ulcer is a result of relieving pressure from skin or underlying tissues, causing localized injuries. In this study, a prototype of an electronic monitoring layer that can be placed on top of the wound patch is designed. The electronic layer is comprised of four force-sensitive pressure sensors, and an integrated temperature and humidity sensor to monitor the activities surrounding the wound site. In the simulated wound bed experiments, the results indicated that the utilization of the Bosch BME280 I2C module, when placed on top of a gauze pad, can deliver accurate and real-time monitoring of the temperature and humidity values. Furthermore, the force-sensitive resistors (FSR) installed can be utilized to detect external pressure beyond the set allowable force applied of 32 mmHg or 700g. Therefore, the electronic layer assembled from commercially available sensors can be used to monitor temperature and humidity while being able to detect externally applied pressure in real-time. However, improvements in the size and flexibility of the electronic layer are necessary to reduce the discomfort that patients suffering from pressure ulcers will experience.

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