Hydrofiber Technology for Better Wound Management

Hydrofiber Technology provides the foundation for a growing family of innovative modern wound dressings and is central to our comprehensive approach to wound management.

 What it is and how it works?

Hydrofiber Technology is high-purity cellulose in the preformed fiber state that has been carboxymethylated in a very controlled way. This is a patented ConvaTec process not used anywhere else, yielding a combination of chemistry and form that offers unique properties.

Dressings containing Hydrofiber Technology are strongly hydrophilic in nature and will rapidly absorb fluid, holding it within the structure of the fibers. On absorbing fluid the fibers transform into a clear, soft gel, while retaining overall structural integrity. This technology can be tailored to produce a whole range of wound dressings.

Dressings with Hydrofiber Technology are therefore suitable for the management of a wide range of moderately-to-highly exuding chronic and acute wounds, including those resulting from trauma and surgery.

 

Locks In § A key feature of dressings with Hydrofiber Technology is the ability to lock in the fluid that is absorbed. § This means that wound exudate, and pathogenic bacteria that it might contain, is safely removed from the wound bed and the surrounding area, protecting these surfaces from potential infection. § This unique locking in action makes dressings with Hydrofiber Technology more effective than traditional gauze or alginate dressings at retaining fluid.

 

Contours

§ A key feature of dressings with Hydrofiber Technology is that, once in gel form, they contour closely to the wound bed.

§ This means that there is no “dead space” between the wound and the dressing interface, limiting spaces where bacteria can proliferate.    

 

Responds § A key feature of dressings with Hydrofiber Technology is the ability to respond to different wound conditions, and respond to changing wound conditions appropriately, through the gelling action. § In acute, healing wounds, dressings containing Hydrofiber Technology maintain a moist wound environment. § In chronic wounds, the gelling action responds to exudate to maintain moisture balance, ensuring the wound is not too wet and not too dry. § In partial thickness wounds, dressings containing Hydrofiber Technology respond to the uptake of fibrin, ensuring adherence to the wound to form a protective barrier. § The addition of silver to Hydrofiber Technology provides a reservoir of silver ions inside the dressing.

 

Hydrofiber Technology in Action (Clinical Evidences):

Wicking test: To test the ability to lock in fluid may help prevent maceration by limiting the lateral spread of wound fluid.

§ Hydrofiber Technology absorbs the fluid from the petri dish (representing the wound bed), wicking it away from the surface to which it is applied.

§ Importantly, we can see that the fluid does not spread to that portion of the dressing outside the petri dish, unlike the conventional dressings, where the fluid is wicked laterally across the dressing as well.

Pressure test: The effective “locking in” action of dressings with Hydrofiber Technology is clearly demonstrated in this experiment.

§ This is of particular relevance for dressings which are to be used in the treatment of venous leg ulcers, where compression is the mainstay of treatment.

§ Various wound dressings are saturated, which has absorbed wound exudate, and placed under a 5kg weight (A 5kg weight was used to mimic the equivalent of 40mm Hg pressure).

§ After a specified time period, the weight is removed and we can see how the dressing containing Hydrofiber Technology has not only retained all the absorbed fluid despite the pressure, but has prevented any lateral spread of fluid.

§ We can see that the two foam dressings, by comparison, have failed to retain the fluid.

Intimate contact test: To test the ability to contour over the wound without leaving any air pockets.

§ As a result of the transformation into a soft, coherent gel on contact with fluid, a dressing with Hydrofiber Technology is able to contour over the wound.

§ This limits the space where bacteria can grow and prevents exudate pooling at the wound interface.

§ Moreover, it maintains a moist environment that is favorable for wound healing over every part of the wound.

§ This experiment, showing hydration of a dressing containing Hydrofiber Technology, illustrates how effectively the dressing contours itself to a simulated wound bed, especially in comparison to an alginate dressing and a foam dressing.

 Hydrofiber Technology Products:

§ ConvaTec has successfully incorporated the unique properties of Hydrofiber Technology into a range of products, each designed for different wound management needs.

§ Via the manufacturing process Hydrofiber Technology can be formed into different textiles and formats, further enhanced chemically (through the addition of antimicrobial ionic silver), or incorporated as a specific layer into composite dressings.

§ AQUACEL, AQUACEL Ag Aquacel Foam, Aquacel Burn and Aquacel Surgical dressings provide patients and healthcare professionals with the intelligent wound care benefits of Hydrofiber Technology every day.

References:

1.      Waring MJ, Parsons D. Physicochemical characterisation of carboxy-methylated spun cellulose fibres. Biomaterials. 2001;22:903-912.

2.      Schultz GS, Sibbald G, Falanga V, et al. Wound bed preparation: a systematic approach to wound management. Wound Repair Regen. 2003;11:1–28.

3.      Chen WYJ, Rogers AA, Walker M, Waring MJ, Bowler PG, Bishop SM. A rethink of the complexity of chronic wounds – implications for treatment. ETRS Bulletin. 2004;10:65-69

4.      Walker M, Hobot JA, Newman GR, Bowler PG. Scanning electron microscopic examination of bacterial immobilisation in a carboxymethyl cellulose (Aquacel) and alginate dressings. Biomaterials. 2003;24:883-890.

5.      Hoekstra MJ, Hermans MH, Richters CD, Dutrieux RP. A histological comparison of acute inflammatory responses with a Hydrofiber or tulle gauze dressing. J. Wound Care. 2002;11(3):113-117.