Design and benefit of

PolyMem

PolyMem® - A Proven Multifunctional Polymeric Membrane Formulation

Multifunctional PolyMem dressings (generically referred to as polymeric membrane dressings in the literature) are specifically designed to reduce a patient’s total wound pain experience, while actively encouraging healing.

/ PolyMem formulation wound dressings are available in a variety of configurations but they all share the same core polymeric membrane formulation.
1) polymeric membrane pad matrix which holds the components in the correct proportion throughout the dressing;
2) a nontoxic, nonionic, tissue-friendly wound cleanser;
3) a moisturizer (glycerol, also known as glycerin);
4) absorbing agents;
5) semi-permeable film (not on cavity filler)

These ingredients are unique to PolyMem and part of a patented solution to modern wound care.

The added mild non-ionic, non-toxic, tissue-friendly wound cleanser/surfactant wound cleanser is activated by moisture1. It will continuously cleanse the wound bed which minimizes the need for additional cleansing during dressing changes (time savings, less pain and better temperature management). It also supports autolytic debridement by reducing interfacial tension between healthy tissue and non-viable tissue1,2, and through that is very efficient in getting the necrosis and fibrin removed (important for wound healing).

The added moisturizer helps maintain a moist wound environment (moist environments heals faster than dry), and will together with the other components keep dressing from adhering to the wound bed (crucial in term of reducing pain, and not setting back healing by tearing the wound open). The hygroscopic glycerin, together with the other components, also creates a “water-flux” from the deep tissues into the area of the wound. This “water-flux” is important in healing wounds as it brings healing agents, including nutritional and growth factors, from the deep tissues to the wound3 (the more nutrition and growth factor is provided to a wound - the higher is the likelihood of healing)

Wound fluid contains natural growth factors and nutrients. Superabsorbents contained in the dressings draw wound fluid to the wound site. These superabsorbents have high affinity for the watery portion of wound fluid. The net result is concentration of the larger components in the wound4.

PolyMem Dressings Help Limit the Amount of Damage After an Injury Occurs

These drug-free dressings help to reduce the spread of inflammation and swelling into surrounding undamaged tissues when applied over either open or closed injuries.4,5,6 The dressings help reduce both persistent (in-between dressing changes) and procedural injury pain (at dressing change) and, as well, help reduce and resolve bruising.4,6 The reduction of swelling, bruising and pain after application of PolyMem dressings has been shown to occur without interfering with the robust, localized inflammatory response required for healing injuries. 4

When PolyMem is not used and other actions to reduce swelling are not taken, the swelling caused by the initial injury results in reduced delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the injury site while limiting removal of waste products and dead cell debris, which together results in the additional tissue damage.7,8 This additional injury is referred to as “secondary injury.” 7,8 For example, the spread of inflammation and swelling into the surrounding, originally undamaged, tissues: 1) results in the dark bruise seen after a contusion, 2) creates an environment conducive to the establishment of wound infections, and 3) expands the zone of pain and swelling beyond the borders of a burn or other injury.7,8,9,10 In the case of bruising, the initial black and blue seen shortly after the injury occurs is a result of bleeding into the tissues from broken blood vessels, but the dark, black-and-blue area that is more markedly visible 48 hours after the contusion incident is the result of muscle cells dying as a result of the secondary injury.7

PolyMem formulation dressings are the only dressings, to our knowledge, that have been shown to help reduce pain, swelling, redness, and warmth due to underlying inflammation, whether applied to intact skin or open wounds.4,5,11,12,13

Procedural pain is minimized by keeping the dressing from adhering to the wound, by minimizing the need for manual (and often painful) wound cleansing, and by offering an excellent alternative to more painful debridement options.

PolyMem Dressings Can Be Used for Managing a Wide Range of Open and Closed Injuries

All PolyMem dressings effectively cleanse, fill, absorb and moisten wounds throughout the healing continuum. PolyMem dressings have therefore been successfully utilized as part of the treatment of a wide range of wound types and conditions including:

  • pressure ulcers (Stages I-IV)
  • venous ulcers
  • acute wounds
  • burns
  • dermatological disorders
/
  • donor and graft sites
  • skin tears
  • surgical wounds
  • diabetic ulcers
  • leg ulcers
/

References:

  1. Rodeheaver GT, Smith SL, Thacker JG, Edgerton MT, Edlich RF. Mechanical cleansing of contaminated wounds with a surfactant. Am J Surg 1975; 129(3):241-5.
  2. Hokett SD, Cuenin MF, O’Neal RB et al. Pluronic polyol effects on human gingival fibroblast attachment and growth. J Periodotol 2000; 71(5):803-9.
  3. Fluhr JW, Gloor M, Lehmann L, Lazzerini S, Distante F, Berardesca E. Glycerol accelerates recovery of barrier function in vivo. Acta Derm Venereol 1999; 79(6):418-21.
  4. Lee BY, Carr RD, Herz B, Savino JA, Madden RA, Yadegar J. Polymeric Membrane Wound Care Dressing vs. Gauze (Standard Treatment). Scientific Exhibit. American College of urgeons Annual Conference. October 20-32, 2003. Chicago, IL. USA
  5. Beitz AJ, Newman A, Kahn AR, Ruggles T, Eikmeier L. A polymeric membrane dressing with antinociceptive properties: analysis with a rodent model of stab wound secondary hyperalgesia. The Journal of Pain. Feb 2004;5(1):38-47
  6. Kahn AR, Sessions RW, Apasova EV. A superficial cutaneous dressing inhibits pain, inflammation and swelling in deep tissues. Poster. World Pain Conference, San Francisco, CA July 15-21, 2000
  7. Sessions RC. Can a drug-free dressing decrease inflammation and wound pain? What does the evidence say? Poster #IR-09. Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Fall. September 16-19, 2009. Washington, DC. USA
  8. Knight KL. Chapter 3. Inflammation and Wound Repair In Cryotherapy in Sport Injury Management. Human Kinetics. 1995. Champaign. IL\ (attached)
  9. Merrick MA. Secondary injury after musculoskeletal trauma: a review and update. Journal of Athletic Training 2002;37(2):209-217
  10. Brook I. Clinical clues to diagnosis of anaerobic infections accessed July 18, 2010
  11. Wolcott RD, Rhoads DD, Dowd SE. Biofilms and chronic wound inflammation. Journal of Wound Care 2008; 17(8):333-341
  12. Lee BY, Carr RD, Herz BL, Savino JA, Madden RA, Yadegar J. Polymeric membrane wound care dressing vs. gauze (standard treatment). Scientific Exhibit SE118. American College of Surgeons Annual Congress. October 20-13, 2003. Chicago, IL. USA
  13. Kim YJ, Lee SW, Hong SH, Lee HK, Kim EK . The Effects of PolyMem on the wound healing. J Korean Soc Plastic Reconstructive Surgery 1999:109;1165-1172