Research shows that maintaining a moist wound environment is optimal to the healing process. 

To help manage moisture and promote autolytic debridement – the body’s way of getting rid of dead tissue and keeping healthy tissue – Medline Industries, Inc. has introduced  Opticell and Opticell Ag+ with silver, wound dressings that help create a moist healing environment and are gentle to the patient. 

Opticell, the latest innovative product in Medline’s advanced wound care line, will be featured at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Fall 2013 conference in Las Vegas being held Sept. 27-29 (Booth #416). 

Opticell can be used on wounds of all drainage levels and utilizes technology that allows fluids to wick vertically into the wound dressing, not across the wound, to help prevent maceration and maintain an optimal wound healing environment.  When moistened, Opticell’s absorbent fibers transform into a conformable gel. This makes it possible to manage drainage and remove dead, damaged tissue. 

“As a doctor, this product’s versatility is one of its greatest benefits,” said Sonja Lichtenstein, MD, regional director at Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth.  “Opticell can be placed under a four layer wrap for a week without maceration of the surrounding skin. There’s also less drainage and it doesn’t stick to the wound bed, even as the wound heals.”

In a recent study, Opticell proved to be the most absorbent wound dressing compared to other similar products.  In addition, even after retaining moisture, Opticell maintains its original surface area and does not shrink significantly, unlike other wound dressing options on the market.

For clinicians seeking broad spectrum antimicrobial efficacy, the Opticell Ag+ dressings contain ionic silver.  When the dressing encounters a wound environment, silver ions are activated to manage bioburden within the dressing.  The silver manages bioburden resulting from bacteria without harming skin cells. 

“We are committed to finding new and innovative solutions to help improve wound management and patient outcomes,” said Margaret Falconio-West, BSN, RN, APN/CNS, CWOCN, DAPWCA, senior vice president of clinical education at Medline.  “Opticell’s gelling attributes help promote autolytic debridement and pain-free removal, two characteristics important to clinicians.”

In addition to Opticell and Opticell Ag+, Medline will showcase other popular and innovative wound care solutions at the conference, including:

Medline Remedy with Phytoplex:  This comprehensive skin care line, specifically for sensitive skin, helps restore skin's natural moisture balance and barrier properties. It uses a blend of all-natural ingredients, can nourish and soothe skin and is formulated to be non-sensitizing, non-irritating and hypoallergenic.

Marathon Liquid Skin Protectant:  A cyanoacrylate-based formula that binds to the skin surface to create a long-lasting, breathable barrier. It forms a fully conformable, flexible and remarkably strong protective layer over intact or damaged skin resulting from moisture, bodily fluids, friction and the effects of adhesives. It resists external moisture, yet allows the skin to breathe.

TheraHoney Wound Gel:  This medical-grade honey dressing is made from 100 percent Manuka honey and derived from the flowers of the Manuka plant native only to New Zealand.  TheraHoney has several unique qualities that make it a versatile and high-performance wound care product.

OptiLock Wound Dressing:  This super absorbent polymer can take in a significant amount of wound fluid — even under compression — and locks it away to help prevent maceration. The dressing is non-adhesive with minimal disruption to the wound and provides gentle, pain-free removal.

Optiva Gentle:  This new, super-absorbent foam dressing features a unique silicone adhesive on the border to help keep the dressing in place.  This technology also allows users to reposition and remove the dressing without harming the skin surrounding the wound.