Performance and safety assessment of materials used in the medical devices destinated for pressure ulcer management

Abstract

Pressure ulcers are a significant health problem that affects a large population, especially the elderly and individuals with physical limitations. These injuries cause pain, are difficult to heal, and can be expensive to manage, leading to a negative impact on the quality of life of those affected. This scientific paper provides an overview of medical devices such as support surfaces, dressings, and topical agents for preventing and managing pressure ulcers. This review focuses on the importance of understanding the viscoelastic mechanical properties, water vapor transmission rate, and biocompatibility testing of medical devices, which can help define performance criteria needed to prevent and manage pressure ulcers effectively. The paper highlights the potential use of alginate, polyurethane, silicone, polyvinyl alcohol, and collagen as pressure relief and wound care solutions. Synthesizing this research can help medical device manufacturers make better decisions and improve the quality of care for patients with pressure ulcers.

Keywords: Biocompatibility test; Dynamic mechanical analysis; Pressure ulcer; Water vapor transmission.