Medline Industries Inc is launching the first line of antimicrobial silver wound dressings that combines sustained release antimicrobial silver with highly effective moisture management materials for helping heal chronic wounds and reducing infection. Called SilvaSorb, this new line is a major addition to Medline's family of controlled-release silver wound care products, including Arglaes.

SilvaSorb is a sterile, single use wound dressing for use in moist wound management. It combines patented MicroLattice technology with the unique, stabilized sustained release silver technology for an effective dressing for use up to seven days. The MicroLattice synthetic matrix helps to maintain an optimal environment for healing by managing the moisture level in the wound. MicroLattice either donates moisture if required or absorbs up to five times its weight in excess wound exudate. It also controls the release of ionic silver when triggered by contact with moisture.

"SilvaSorb is the first wound care dressing to help control the bioburden in a wound and at the same time maintain the right level of moisture for an optimal wound healing environment," said Jonathan Primer, president of Medline's Dermal Management Division. "To heal efficiently, chronic wounds require fluid management and bioburden reduction without destroying healthy tissue - SilvaSorb accomplishes all of this."

As an effective barrier to a broad spectrum of microorganisms, SilvaSorb may help reduce infection by inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, VRE, and other clinically significant microorganisms.

SilvaSorb comes in a variety of formats for optimal use in the management of a variety of wound types such as pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, leg ulcers, skin tears, 1st and 2nd degree burns, grated wounds and donor sites, surgical wounds, and lacerations and abrasions.

Similar to SilvaSorb, Arglaes uses controlled release technology to deliver silver onto the application site. Arglaes is used effectively to help reduce infection on post surgical incision sites, central line sites, pressure ulcers and minor burns. In addition to a transparent film dressing, Arglaes now comes in a powder form to deliver controlled-release antimicrobial silver to any size, shape or depth of wound.