Modern Wound Dressings: A Systematic Approach to Wound Healing

Abstract

The advent of modern wound care management constitutes one of the most innovative applications of medical device technology. The foundation for wound care recent advances has been built upon the developments achieved in polymer technology over the last three decades. New and unique materials have been engineered to provide properties with significant technical and clinical benefits. These new wound care products were made possible by the convergence of three interrelated disciplines: (1) more complete understanding of the underlying principles of dermal wound healing processes, (2) new elastomeric polymers capable of being fabricated into protective dressings, and (3) advances in breathable adhesive technology. The following discussion provides a critical review of the current status of technology and the worldwide opportunities for improved wound management products. Particular attention is focused on the clinical applications of the newer, breathable dressing products, which approximate a temporary synthetic artificial skin.

The Wound Healing Process: An Overview of the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms

“…Novel techniques of topical growth factor application and incisional priming with PDGF or IL-1 can optimize both the cellular and molecular environment, thus decreasing healing time by modifying inflammation and accelerating the proliferative phase. 91,92 Electrical field stimulation may optimize the remodelling phase by promoting more efficient fibroblast recruitment and collagen deposition, 93 -96 prosthetic materials can favour tissue repair, 4,97 and gene therapy, 98 which is currently in pre-clinical development, may be able to provide a way for selective healing.…”

Treating the chronic wound: A practical approach to the care of nonhealing wounds and wound care dressings

“…These adhesive, occlusive, conformable dressings absorb wound exudate to form a hydrophilic gel that helps to maintain a moist healing environment. 108 Compared to films, hydrocolloids have less moisture vapor transmission; thus they rely predominantly on absorption for exudate management. 108 Hydrocolloids are best used over wounds with low to moderate amounts of exudate.…”

“…108 Compared to films, hydrocolloids have less moisture vapor transmission; thus they rely predominantly on absorption for exudate management. 108 Hydrocolloids are best used over wounds with low to moderate amounts of exudate. 80 They are less appropriate for wounds with large amounts of exudate because of the risk of periwound maceration and because the high degree of moisture can cause the dressing to separate from the wound bed.…”

Macroporous polymer foams by hydrocarbon templating

“…hydrocarbon porogen ͉ tissue engineering ͉ drug delivery P olymeric foams are utilized in a range of applications such as mechanical dampeners, thermal, acoustic, and electrical insulators, solid supports for catalysis and separations, and medical devices (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). Macroporous polymeric foams have been produced by dispersion of a gaseous phase in a fluid polymer phase, leaching of a water-soluble inorganic fugitive phase, phase separation, polymer precipitation, particle sintering, extrusion, and injection molding (1,2,10).…”