Hydrogel Foams Containing Superabsorbent Particles for Wound Care Applications

Herein, we report an innovative approach to design hydrogel foams by embedding superabsorbent polymer (SAP) particles with the aim of improving wound dressing applications. A cross-linking process was used to prepare hydrogel foams by just adding 3 components: an NCO-terminated three-arm prepolymer, SAP particles, and water. Variations in the chemical compositions allow creation of hydrogel foams with different material properties that can be applied to wounds with different characteristics. Hydrogel foams that are stable to electron beam sterilization are mechanically stable and have adjustable as well as very high absorption capacities. SAP-loaded foams have open pore structures and can be used to remove excess exudate from highly exudating wounds. Additionally, the SAP-loaded hydrogels have tunable high moisture donation properties and, hence, the potential to help keep contaminated wounds clean or to moisten a dry wound to enhance wound healing. Therefore, hydrogel foams with SAP particles have the potential to be used in advanced wound dressings for application on both dry and highly exudating, acute, and chronic wounds.