Easy and fast healing
of wound defects

Hypro-Flex is a resorbable wound dressing based on pure atelocollagen with hyaluronan bonded by complexation. The two substances have a long history of successful use in the healing of wounds. Hypro-Flex combines the assets of the two materials in a unique manner. The dressing has a pronounced haemostatic effect and promotes granulation and epithelization of the wound.

Microcrystalline collagen as a pharmaceutical material was introduced by Orlando A. Battista as early as 1967. Atelocollagen is a collagen material that exhibits the highest biocompatibility and is resorbable after implantation. Hyaluronan is a substance that is capable of accelerating the healing of wounds and inflammations. The time for healing burns can be reduced as much as 50% by using hyaluronan. The efficiency of hyaluronan is directly dependent on the time of its action. However, when common collagen-hyaluronan composites are used, hyaluronan is rapidly extracted from the material due to the action of the exudate. In Hypro-Flex, on the contrary, hyaluronan is grafted to atelocollagen by complexation and thus is only released slowly.

When is Hypro-Flex used?

Hypro-Flex is used as a non-irritating resorbable dressing for the prevention and treatment of bedsores, varicose ulcers, chronic skin inflammations, and neuropathic defects, as well as 1st and 2nd degree burns, postoperative wound complications (such as dehiscence), other acute superficial or deeper injuries, bone and joint damage, and for the prevention of damage to the skin’s integrity by the long-term action of pressure or friction.

What are the main assets of Hypro-Flex?

Hypro-Flex is easy to apply. The dressing is sterile and packaged simply, available in a range of sizes, and does not stick to surgical instruments. The felt is easy to shape, can be adapted to the shape of the wound and copies the wound bed very well. The wound need not be rebandaged as frequently when Hypro-Flex is used as the dressing material; the wound is thus traumatized to a lesser extent, which is an important aspect in the wound healing process. The time of resorption of the dressing is flexible, from 2 to 7 weeks, depending on factors such as the condition of the wound, the presence or absence of infection and the extent of exudation. The addition of dressing layers or partial rebandaging (removal of the top layer of the felt) are also feasible. Hypro-Flex features a high absorption capacity. When moistened, Hypro-Flex can be readily formed into the desired shape and keeps the wound moist. Hypro-Flex can be used on its own or in combination with other medicinal products and/or antibiotics without excessive denaturation of the atelocollagen substance. It will keep the healing substance in the wound bed as necessary.

Interactions

The dressing substance consists solely of biological materials, viz. atelocollagen and hyaluronan, which the tissue perceives as its intrinsic substances. Atelocollagen is tolerable to human tissue with no antigenic inflammatory reactions, typical of other collagen preparations. Hypro-Flex exerts a slight bacteriostatic effect and is resorbed slowly by the wound due to the action of tissue collagenases. This process enriches the extracellular matrix with the amino acids needed for the biosynthesis of new collagen. In this way the dressing is slowly dissolved and spent from the wound. Adhesion to the granulation tissue is thus reduced, and the dressing is easier to replace. Hyaluronan increases exudate viscosity, thus improving the strength and resistance of the granulate being formed. Hyaluronan also accelerates the healing of inflammation, promotes wound granulation and epithelization, and has a high hydration capacity as the wound is kept moist as necessary. The exogenic trace amount of magnesium in the healing wound is desirable because magnesium is an essential element, which is often a deficient yet necessary component of metalloenzymes, i.e., synthetases that are involved in metabolic processes occurring in the cells of the healing tissue.



Fig. Cross-section through human skin.

How is Hypro-Flex used?

If treating chronic wounds, varicose ulcers or decubites, remove necrotic tissue and fibrin layers from the wound first and clean the wound bed. If a severe infection with manifestations of a critical system infection is diagnosed, address this life-threatening issue first. In some cases where infection is identified in the wound/defect bed only, and administration of system antibiotics is undesirable (and the doctor agrees), Hypro-Flex can be applied in combination with local antibiotics, available as powders, unguents or solutions. Here Hypro-Flex represents a very convenient carrier for selected forms of local antibiotics intended for application directly to the wound/defect bed. Daily rebandaging during 1 to 2 weeks is then often sufficient to efficiently eliminate even progressing and critical infections. In cases of critical colonization or as infection prevention, surface treatment with an antiseptic (chlorhexidine) prior to the application of Hypro-Flex is sufficient. And if the wound/defect bed is clean, mere flushing with an ionic isotonic solution (Ringer) will do. Apply Hypro-Flex to this primarily treated wound/defect bed in sizes completely covering the wound and press gently. Use a suitable non-adhesive dressing material as the secondary layer, with an absorbent core or sterile compression in dependence on the extent of exudation; a top layer material with self-adhesive edges can be used if exudation is not very extensive. Compressive therapy can be applied where feasible. The rebandaging patterns depend on the wound/defect healing stage and extent of exudation. In the begining stage, rebandaging should be applied two or three times a week. Later, Hypro-Flex can be left on the wound several days while supplementing or modifying the medical products and secondary dressing layer. If the wound bed must be revitalized, remove Hypro-Flex cautiously, best on moistening with saline, or remove the top layer only. Maintain the epithelizing wound edges so as to prevent the wound from closing until it has been filled with new tissue. Disinfect or rinse the wound as necessary. Apply (complete) new Hypro-Flex to the clean wound/defect, add antiseptic dressing (such as Inadine) and cover with new sterile secondary dressing. Deeper wounds, blemishes or cavities filled with Hypro-Flex can be reinforced with sterile Steri-Strips. Also, don’t forget to treat the wound edges and surrounding areas that pose a potential risk (maceration, irritation), preferably by applying a protective cream or paste such as a zinc ointment or Menalind cream.

Hypro-Flex size range