Chemical and physical properties of a hydrogel wound dressing.

Geliperm hydrogel provides optimal physiological conditions for wound healing. The material is composed of two interlaced networks, one of polyacrylamide and one of agar, and contains about 96% firmly bound water. It is supplied in smooth, elastic, transparent sheets which are impermeable to bacteria but permeable to gases, salts, metabolites and proteins. Geliperm is nontoxic and has no irritative properties. Mechanical properties, water retention and diffusion of dyes and proteins are reported. Bacterial size should preclude penetration of the gel. The hydrogel in granular form represents a coherent material which could be used in deep fissured wounds and for the treatment of injuries with a large amount of exudation and contamination.