Sexual HealthNew Data Demonstrate Advanced Features Of Hydrofiber(R) Technology
Researchers with ConvaTec Wound Therapeutics presented a series of in vitro studies demonstrating the advanced features and fluid handling capacity of the company"s proprietary dressings containing Hydrofiber® Technology this week at the 19th Conference of the European Wound Management Association.
Developed by ConvaTec, a world-leading provider of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, dressings containing Hydrofiber® Technology, including AQUACEL® and Versiva® XC™ dressing, gel on contact with wound fluid to provide a moist wound healing environment, manage exudate, protect the periwound skin5 and reduce pain in situ and on removal.6,7,8 With the inclusion of ionic silver, AQUACEL® Ag dressing provides on demand antimicrobial activity, responding to increased bacteria with increased silver ion availability.9,10*
In the laboratory studies presented, researchers demonstrated a range of beneficial properties enabled by the unique gelling action of Hydrofiber® Technology. In one test comparing the fluid absorption and retention capabilities of AQUACEL® dressing against three alginates, researchers found the dressing containing Hydrofiber® Technology absorbed more fluid and, when under pressure, retained a higher proportion of fluid than the alginate dressings.1
A further laboratory test showed how the ability of Hydrofiber® Technology to conform and contour to irregular wound surfaces could reduce wound bioburden, and may make dressing application and removal easier and less painful.11
Comparing AQUACEL® Ag dressing to a nanocrystalline silver coated dressing, the test examined the antimicrobial activity of moistened dressings on plates indented and inoculated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). After 24 hours, AQUACEL® Ag dressing produced zones of >90% that were clear of bacterial growth whilst the clearance zone for the comparator silver dressing was Advanced Wound Dressings Containing Hydrofiber® Technology from ConvaTec
Hydrofiber® Technology is a pure polymeric sodium carboxymethylcellulose derived from natural cellulose and spun into fibres. Upon contact with wound exudate, fluid is absorbed directly into the fibres, which coalesce to form a cohesive gel.
AQUACEL® and AQUACEL® Ag Dressings are soft, absorbent non-woven wound dressings based on Hydrofiber® Technology. Indicated for a wide range of moderate-to-highly exuding acute and chronic wounds, AQUACEL® and AQUACEL® Ag Dressings come in a variety of shapes, sizes and formats. AQUACEL® Ag Dressings also provide the broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties of ionic silver, which kills a broad range of pathogens in the dressings, including MRSA and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).9
Versiva® XC™ Gelling Foam Dressings consist of three components:
- A waterproof polyurethane layer that protects the wound from external contaminants and manages moisture vapour transmission of exudates absorbed by the dressing.
- An absorptive, non-woven, fibrous layer of Hydrofiber® Technology.
- A thin non-adhesive wound contact layer. In the Adhesive formulation a gentle hydrocolloid adhesive border allows for secure retention.
Versiva® XC™ Dressings come in convenient shapes for a variety of wound types, and can be used as primary or secondary dressings, alone or in combination with other wound care products.
ConvaTec Dressings containing Hydrofiber® Technology have been studied in numerous randomized clinical trials across a variety of chronic and acute wounds, including pressure ulcers, leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, partial thickness (second degree) burns and surgical incisions.
1. Walker M. Dressings Containing Hydrofiber® Technology Provide Effective Exudate Management. Poster presented at: 19th Conference of the European Wound Management Association; May 20-22, 2009; Helsinki, Finland.
2. Walker M. Dressings That Can Contour To Uneven Wound Surfaces Are Likely to Reduce Wound Bioburden. Poster presented at: 19th Conference of the European Wound Management Association; May 20-22, 2009; Helsinki, Finland.
3. Walker M. Dressings Containing Hydrofiber® Technology Respond To Changes in Wound Environment. Poster presented at: 19th Conference of the European Wound Management Association; May 20-22, 2009; Helsinki, Finland.
4. Adams S. Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate - How is this affected by wound fluid viscosity? Poster presented at: 19th Conference of the European Wound Management Association; May 20-22, 2009; Helsinki, Finland.
5. Robinson BJ. The use of a Hydrofiber® dressing in wound management. J Wound Care 2000;9(1):32-34.
6. Armstrong SH, Ruckley CV. Use of a fibrous dressing in exuding leg ulcers. J. Wound Care 1997 6(7): 322-324.
7. Caruso DM, Foster KN, Blome-Eberwein SA et al. Randomized clinical study of Hydrofiber® dressing with silver or silver sulfadiazine in the management of partial-thickness burns. J Burn Care Res. 2006; 27(3):298-309.
8. Kogan L, Moldavsky M, Szvalb S, Govrin-Yehudain J. Comparative study of Aquacel® and Silverol® treatment in burns. Ann Burns Fire Disasters. 2004; 17(4):201-207.
9. Jones SA, Bowler PG, Walker M, Parsons D. Controlling wound bioburden with a novel silver-containing Hydrofiber® dressing. Wound Repair Regen. 2004;12(3):288-294.
10. Bowler PG, Jones SA, Walker M, Parsons D. Microbicidal properties of a silver-containing Hydrofiber® dressing against a variety of burn wound pathogens. J Burn Care Rehabil. 2004;25(2):192-196.
11. Jones S, Bowler P, Walker M. Antimicrobial activity of silver containing dressings is influenced by conformability with a wound surface. Wounds 2005; 17: 263-270.
12. World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS). Principles of Best Practice: Wound Exudate and the Role of Dressings. A Consensus Document. London: MEP Ltd, 2007.
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