In Vitro Vertical Wicking Capacity of a Three Layer Wicking Wound Dressing

Both acute and chronic wounds require proper wound exudate management because exudate can be harmful to the wound healing process. Prolonged exposure to caustic elements present in wound exudate facilitates epidermal breakdown. Unmanaged wound exudate may also lead to periwound maceration, which has been correlated with delayed wound healing. Proper management of excess wound exudate is key in achieving optimal wound healing. A new three-layer wicking dressing has been designed such that the layer in contact with the wound bed will vertically wick exudate into the second superabsorbent fiber layer. The top layer is colored blue to indicate how the dressing is meant to be applied. In order to access the dressing's performance in vertical wicking and the capability in transporting fluid away from the wound bed, this in-vitro study has been designed to evaluate the dressing absorption capacity when it is placed on top of a wet sample.

An empty petri dish was placed on a balance. A 6x6cm sample of the dressing was placed on the petri dish, blue layer facing up. Approximately 40g of a solution with an iconic composition comparable to wound exudate was poured into the petri dish so that all but the top blue layer of the dressing was covered. The system was placed in a 37C chamber for 30 minutes. The weight was recorded. A 5cmx5cm sample of the dressing was then placed on top of the first dressing, and the system was weighed. After 30 seconds, the 5cmx5cm sample was removed, and the system was reweighed.

Once the first sample’s second superabsorbent layer was saturated, the second sample’s first layer vertically wicked the fluid into its superabsorbent layer. The results indicate that the 5cmx5cm sample of the three-layer wicking dressing can wick and transport about 45g/100cm² fluid from the wet sample underneath.