Classification and Production of Polymeric Foams among the Systems for Wound Treatment

Abstract

This work represents an overview on types of wounds according to their definition, classification and dressing treatments. Natural and synthetic polymeric wound dressings types have been analyzed, providing a historical overview, from ancient to modern times. Currently, there is a wide choice of materials for the treatment of wounds, such as hydrocolloids, polyurethane and alginate patches, wafers, hydrogels and semi-permeable film dressings. These systems are often loaded with drugs such as antibiotics for the simultaneous delivery of drugs to prevent or cure infections caused by the exposition of blood vessel to open air. Among the presented techniques, a focus on foams has been provided, describing the most diffused branded products and their chemical, physical, biological and mechanical properties. Conventional and high-pressure methods for the production of foams for wound dressing are also analyzed in this work, with a proposed comparison in terms of process steps, efficiency and removal of solvent residue. Case studies, in vivo tests and models have been reported to identify the real applications of the produced foams.

Evaluating polymeric biomaterials to improve next generation wound dressing design

“…Foam dressings are a diverse class of wound dressings that have been utilized in a variety of settings due to their wide ranging compositions and porous nature, including thin foam dressings for topical applications and bulky, porous foam dressings for insertion into deeper, full-thickness wounds [ 150 ]. The ability to modulate the main polymeric component (typically polyurethane or silicone) and a variety of different structural components, give rise to a versatile wound dressing class [ 150 ]. Commonly, microarchitectural properties are modulated to alter the overall macrostructural characteristics, including alteration of size, morphology, distribution and composition of the pores.…”

“…Commonly, microarchitectural properties are modulated to alter the overall macrostructural characteristics, including alteration of size, morphology, distribution and composition of the pores. Ultimately, the benefits of foam dressings can be stratified into four key categories, physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological [ 150 ]. Physical benefits of foam dressings include moisture control, various degrees of permeability, thermal insulation, and absorptive properties.…”

“…Foam dressings are utilized for exudative wounds that are both superficial and non-superficial (i.e. deep to the epidermis), often times complex in nature, such as traumatic or chronic ulcerative wounds [ 48 , 80 , 150 ]. The diverse characteristics and versatility of foam dressings allows for their application in a variety of wound settings.…”

Chloramphenicol Loaded Sponges Based on PVA/Nanocellulose Nanocomposites for Topical Wound Delivery

“…The isothermal sorption curves were determined at room temperature (RT, ~20 • C) by placing the samples in sealed desiccators and exposing them to water vapor atmospheres of various relative humidities (rh). The rh of 2 (P 2 O 5 ), 19,33,43,54,64,75,85,95, and 98% were achieved with appropriately chosen binary saturated aqueous solutions listed in previous work [37]. The samples were equilibrated for 7 days in each rh, and the attainment of equilibrium was determined via the recording of the sample weight (m hydr ).…”

“…Its properties depend on its molecular weight and hydrolysis degree, which, in turn, affect the amount of pendant hydroxyl groups [14][15][16][17][18]. PVA foams are particularly appropriate for wound healing applications, as they can absorb significant amounts of exudate due to their porous and hydrophilic character; however, they tend to lack in terms of mechanical strength [3,19]. This drawback can be circumvented with the addition of reinforcing agents and the formation of composites.…”