In-Vitro Analysis of Simulated Wound Fluid and MMP Transfer from the Periwound Using a Fluid Management Dressing

Background: Precise regulation of wound matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) promotes optimal wound healing. For chronic wounds, the balance of MMPs is often disrupted, which may stall the healing process in the inflammatory phase. Specifically, elevated MMP levels (e.g. MMP-9) are believed to result in delayed wound healing.

Purpose: The technology within the study dressing is designed to move wound exudate up and away from the patient into an absorptive layer. A modified periwound test method was utilized to determine how this mechanism of exudate management affects the concentration of MMPs in contact with the wound and surrounding skin.

Methods: The test consisted of applying the dressing over a simulated wound and exposing the dressing to a constant rate of simulated wound fluid (SWF) containing MMP-9 tagged with a fluorescent dye. The amount of MMP-9 that is present at the wound / periwound surface and each dressing layer is quantified by fluorescence.

Results: The results indicate that the study dressing efficiently moves MMP-9 from the wound / periwound surface into the various dressing layers. Understanding how dressings manage exudate (and its contents) will be critical to improving future dressing designs and performance.