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Alginates

Alginate wound dressings are non-woven, non-adhesive pads and ribbons composed of natural polysaccharide fibers or xerogel derived from seaweed. On contact with exudate, these dressings form a moist gel through the process of ion exchange. They are soft and conformable, easy to pack, tuck or apply over irregularly shaped wounds. Indicated when there is moderate to heavy exudate, such as for pressure injuries, infected wounds and venous insufficiency ulcers. Alginates generally require a secondary dressing.

Alginate dressings are highly absorptive, non-occlusive dressings made of soft, non-woven calcium alginate fibers derived from brown seaweed or kelp. Alginate dressings are available as a primary dressing in pad or rope form. These dressings gel on contact with wound exudate, allowing for a moist wound environment and promoting autolytic debridement.

Alginate dressings feature the following general performance properties and attributes:
• Atraumatic removal
• Non-occlusive
• Can be cut to fit
• Can be layered for more absorption
• Bioabsorbable
• Can absorb up to 20 times their weight in exudate

Alginate dressings are indicated for use as a primary dressing in the treatment of moderately to heavily exuding partial- and full-thickness draining wounds such as stage III-IV pressure ulcers, dermal wounds, surgical incisions, dehisced wounds, tunneling wounds, sinus tracts, and donor sites. Alginates that contain silver can be used to manage infected wounds. Alginates can also provide hemostasis for postoperative wounds with minimal bleeding.

Alginate dressings are contraindicated for use on dry eschar, third-degree burns, for surgical implantation, or wounds with heavy bleeding.

The following general warnings apply to alginate dressings. Always refer to manufacturer information for Warnings and Precautions for a specific product.

May dehydrate wound bed.
Not appropriate for dry wounds.
Due to low tensile strength, avoid packing in narrow, deep sinuses.
May require secondary dressing to secure.
May be malodorous during dressing change.
May leave fibers in wound bed if drainage is insufficient to fully gel the product.

Products

3M™ Tegaderm™ High Integrity and 3M™ Tegaderm™ High Gelling Alginate Dressings

3M™ Tegaderm™ High Integrity and 3M™ Tegaderm™ High Gelling Alginate Dressings maintain a moist wound healing environment.

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ALGICELL® Alginate Wound Dressings

ALGICELL® Alginate Wound Dressings are highly absorptive, high integrity products designed to manage moderate to heavily exudating partial- or full-thickness wounds.

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ALGISITE* M Calcium Alginate Dressing

ALGISITE* M is a fast-gelling calcium alginate dressing that forms a hydrophilic gel when in contact with exudate. Helps create and maintain a moist wound environment.

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AMERX® Calcium Alginate Dressings

AMERX® Calcium Alginate Dressings feature a sterile, conformable pad that enhances patient comfort. Quickly forms a hydrophilic gel to protect and cover the wound bed. Easy to pack, tuck, or apply over irregularly shaped wounds.

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Biatain® Alginate

Biatain® Alginate dressings are fast-gelling alginates. One-piece removal. Manages moderate to high levels of wound exudate.

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CalciCare™ Calcium Alginate

CalciCare™ Calcium Alginate is a soft, conformable, highly absorbent dressing composed of a high G (guluronic acid) calcium/sodium alginate. Strengthening nylon web provides increased integrity when wet, helping to achieve intact, one-piece removal.

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CarboFLEX® Odor Control Dressing

CarboFLEX® Odor Control Dressing is a sterile, non-adhesive, five-layer dressing specifically designed to address the management problems associated with malodorous wounds.

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CovaWound™ Alginate (Alginate Dressing)

CovaWound™ Alginate (Alginate Dressing) is a primary wound dressing made from the calcium salt of alginic acid rich in mannuronic acid. Forms a soft, hydrophilic, gas-permeable gel when in contact with exudate, conforming to the contours of the wound to provide a micro-environment that facilitates wound healing. Flat non-woven pad or rope format.

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Cutimed® Alginate

Cutimed® Alginate dressing is highly absorbent and helps maintain a moist wound environment.

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DermaGinate™ 12" Rope

DermaGinate™ 12" Rope is a highly absorbent calcium alginate dressing. Conforms readily to wound bed and helps maintain a moist wound environment.

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