Mechanical characteristics of wound dressings

In the treatment of acute and chronic wounds, the clinical performance of a given foam-based dressing, and, ultimately, the wound healing and cost of care outcomes are strongly influenced by the mechanical performance of the foam material/s within that dressing. Most aspects of the mechanical performance of foam materials, e.g., their stiffness, frictional properties, conformability, swelling characteristics and durability, and the overall mechanical protection provided by a foam-based dressing to a wound strongly depend on the microstructure of the foam components, particularly on their microtopography, density, and porosity. This chapter therefore provides, based on a former comprehensive journal publication of the authors on the topic of mechanical performance of foam dressings [1], a rigorous compilation of clinically relevant theoretical and practical considerations, comprising analytical and experimental research, as well as clinical experience related to the mechanical performance of foams in foam-based wound dressings. The current bioengineering information is useful for establishing understanding of the importance of mechanical properties of foams in foam-based dressings among clinicians and researchers in industry and academia, and other potential stakeholders in the wound care field, e.g., regulators and buyers. This information is also particularly important for the development of standardized test methods for the evaluation of foam-based wound dressings and resulting standard mechanical performance metrics for these dressings.