Wound dressings conformability

In this context, textiles and fibrous structures are being brought to play an essential role in the efficiency of implantable medical devices. Textiles are already used in many medical devices such as gowns, wound dressings, face masks, stockings, etc. Discontinuity, directionality, and multiscale levels are some of the fibrous structure fundamentals that lead to obvious wearability features and ability to conform to the body with softness and comfort. In an intracoiporeal use, three other resulting key points of these fundamentals are valuable. 

BS EN 13726-3 2003. Test methods for primary wound dressings. Part 3. Waterproofness. BS EN 13726-4 2003. Test methods for primary wound dressings. Part 4. Conformability. BS EN 13726-5 2003. Test methods for primary wound dressings. Part 5. Bacterial barrier properties. 

In the same publication, a dressing that limits pain is most desirable which usually means an occlusive or water vapor barrier. However, a semipermeable dressing would be preferable that would control the amount of water vapor loss. A dressing that conforms to any contour, and a dressing that does not firmly attach to the tissue or interfere with the natural healing process are most desirable for superficial and full thickness skin wounds as well as deep tissue wounds. Further, a dressing that limits body water loss to less than 35 g of water vapor transmitted per m2 per hour is considered low enough to maintain a moist environment for most wounds. 

Foaming the polymer creates small, open cells that are able to hold fluids and the cell size may be controlled during the foaming process. The most common polymer used is polyurethane. Their structure and softness also provide a cushion that protects and contributes to thermal insulation of the wound. They also may be tailored for particular applications such as tracheostomy dressing without particle loss to the wound and with the retention of their conformable characteristics. The non-adhesive foams will require a secondary dressing. 

KytoCel by Aspen, reported by Aspen (2014), is a highly absorbent dressing composed of natural, biodegradable acylated chitosan fibres, which bond with wound exudate to form a clear gel that locks in fluid, absorbs pathogens, and is conformable to the wound bed. 

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