Drawtex
Drawtex® is the first hydroconductive wound dressing. It features exclusive LevaFiber™ Technology aiding effective wound bed preparation without damaging newly formed tissue.1-4
Because of its three types of action (capillary, hydroconductive and electrostatic), made possible by exclusive LevaFiber Technology, Drawtex is more than just a simple absorber. Drawtex can be used as a first-line dressing as part of the standard of care for wound bed preparation.
Based on clinical data, Drawtex has been shown to meet the challenges of wound bed preparation in the following ways:
As Drawtex Wound Dressing draws the exudate away from the wound surface, it also removes toxic components, such as slough, wound debris and bacteria, that compromise wound healing.5-12 By dispersing the exudate both vertically and horizontally, Drawtex controls and retains the wound fluid so that it can be transferred to additional layers of Drawtex if needed. Wound bed preparation is the management of a wound in order to accelerate endogenous healing or to facilitate the effectiveness of other therapeutic measures.2 Recent data has been published showing how wound treatment with Drawtex meets the complex challenges of wound bed preparation3
How Drawtex® wound dressing works LevaFiber™ Technology provides three different types of action.
Capillary action gives Drawtex its ability to move wound exudate and wound debris into the porous material of the dressing. With the small pores acting as capillaries, intermolecular attractive forces between the exudate and solid surfaces of the wound dressing allow the exudate to be drawn upward against the force of gravity.
Hydroconductive action is controlled by Darcy’s Law that defines the ability of a fluid to flow through porous media. Fluid can move from wetter to drier – even against gravity. This explains how water can be transported from the roots of a tree to the leaves. The LevaFiberTM Technology of Drawtex allows the dressing to lift, hold and transfer the wound exudate both vertically and horizontally by hydroconductive action.
Electrostatic action occurs when the negatively charged Drawtex wound dressing comes into contact with the wound exudate. Ions from the exudate form a mobile layer of the opposite charge known as the electric double layer, effectively reversing the charge on the surface of the dressing to become positive. This allows the dressing to draw out a relatively large amount of exudate, devitalised tissue, bacteria and deleterious chemical mediators.
Whilst Beier takes every possible precaution to ensure the product is flawless, we recommend discontinuing the use of the Drawtex® product in any of the following conditions:
- Drawtex is contraindicated if arterial bleeding is present.
- Drawtex is sterile unless opened or damaged.
- Do not use Drawtex if the package is opened or damaged.
- Drawtex is for external use only.
- Drawtex is intended for single use only. Do not reuse.
- Drawtex should be stored in a cool, dry place.
| Catalogue # | Size | Carton Qty. | Shipper Qty. |
|---|---|---|---|
| D0505 | 5cm x 5cm | 10 Dressings | 10 x 10 = 100 |
| D7575 | 7,5cm x 7,5cm | 10 Dressings | 10 x 10 = 100 |
| D1010 | 10cm x 10cm | 10 Dressings | 10 x 10 = 100 |
| D1520 | 15cm x 20cm | 10 Dressings | 10 x 10 = 100 |
| D2020 | 20cm x 20cm | 10 Dressings | 10 x 10 = 100 |
| R175 | Rolls 7,5cm x 1m | 5 Rolls | 5 x 4 = 20 |
| R101 | Rolls 10cm x 1m | 5 Rolls | 5 x 4 = 20 |
| R201 | Rolls 20cm x 1m | 5 Rolls | 5 x 4 = 20 |
| SD100 | Rolls 10cm x 1,3m | 5 Rolls | 5 x 4 = 20 |
| DT1010 | 10cm x 10cm Tracheostomy | 10 Dressings | 10 x 10 = 100 |
Q. Is Drawtex classified as highly absorbent?
A.Yes. Drawtex is a super-absorbent dressing that works against gravity.
Q. Does Drawtex allow gas exchange?
A. Absolutely. Drawtex is not a solid dressing, so it has air permeability when dry.
Q. In which stage of wound healing is it possible to apply Drawtex?
A. Drawtex can be used in all stages of wound healing; however, it is highly successful when used as a first-line dressing (meaning as early as possible).
Q. Does Drawtex help with wound odor?
A. Yes. Normally, the level of odor in an infected wound is very high. Case studies with Drawtex have shown that it is very effective at reducing odor within the wound bed.
Q. How does Drawtex manage the quantity of the exudate?
A. Through LevaFiber Technology, Drawtex has the ability to lift, hold and transfer the exudate both vertically and horizontally throughout the dressing. The structure of the Drawtex dressing and its three mechanisms of action (capillary, hydroconductive and electrostatic) ensure that the exudate is drawn out and dispersed into the dressing.
Q. Does Drawtex support the moisture environment of the wound?
A. Absolutely. Drawtex manages and controls high volumes of exudate.
Q. Is Drawtex an occlusive dressing?
A. No. Drawtex is not occlusive.
Q. Does Drawtex protect the patient’s skin against maceration caused by exudate from the wound?
A. Absolutely. When used correctly, Drawtex lifts and holds exudate away from the wound bed, transferring it vertically and horizontally inside the dressing without leaking.
Q. What instructions are available for using Drawtex?
A. Each carton contains instructional literature, complete with full color photographs.
Q. On what types of wounds can Drawtex be used?
A. Drawtex is ideal for the following types of wounds, especially wounds with moderate to heavy exudate: burns (first- and second-degree), amputations, post-operative wounds, venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, cavity wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, Buruli ulcers, complex surgical wounds, difficult-to-heal wounds and nonhealing wounds.
Q. How does Drawtex stay in place? Can it fit perfectly onto the wound?
A. Drawtex can be cut to fit any size or shape wound. In addition, you can put as many layers of Drawtex as necessary on the wound to ensure it will handle high volumes of exudate.
Q. Is Drawtex non-toxic and hypo-allergenic?
A. Absolutely. Drawtex materials have been successfully tested by an independent laboratory for eye, skin and other irritations.
Q. How does Drawtex work against bacteria?
A. In actively drawing out wound fluid, Drawtex has been shown to draw the bacteria from the wound bed into the dressing. Studies with an infected burn model and with patients who have chronic wounds have shown that tissue bacterial counts in the wound decrease while the bacterial counts in the Drawtex dressings increase.7,8
Q. Do any fibers or bits of material stay in the wound during change of Drawtex dressings?
A. Drawtex maintains its integrity and does not break down or lose fibers when fully saturated.
Q. How long should Drawtex remain on the wound?
A. Under normal circumstances, Drawtex dressings are changed on a daily basis. However, on a healthy wound bed, Drawtex can be left on for up to three days. The state of the dressing dictates when it needs to be changed: for example, as soon as the dressing is saturated.
Q. Is Drawtex a microbiological barrier?
A. No, Drawtex has no medication inside it. When used correctly, Drawtex manages exudate, wound debris, bacteria and harmful MMPS, and prevents maceration while protecting the surrounding skin from breakdown.5-12
Designed for any type of wound
SACRAL SHAPE To fold into heart-shaped wound, while vertical slits splay slightly, filling the area.
SPIRAL SHAPE To fill cavities or cover amputations
STOMA SHAPE To fit around G-tubes and trach tubes. Drawtex Tracheostomy Dressing may be used.
DRAIN SHAPE To drain by way of cutting strips with the opposite end going into a colostomy bag.
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Effective Wound Bed Preparation
Wound bed preparation is the management of a wound in order to accelerate endogenous healing or to facilitate the effectiveness of other therapeutic measures.2 Recent data has been published showing how wound treatment with Drawtex meets the complex challenges of wound bed preparation3:
Facilitates removal of devitalised tissue
Using an advanced pattern recognition software algorithm* to analyse digital wound images, researchers calculated wound measurements and analysed tissue composition of the wound bed. They found:
- Drawtex actively draws fluid away from the wound up to 150 cc/hour, retaining its integrity when moist.4
- Drawtex helps to selectively remove debris from the wound by drawing out adherent fibrin and slough, while leaving healthy granulation tissue in place.4
Decreases excessive wound exudate
Another study concluded that the advantages of exudate removal by Drawtex were numerous. Not only was the fluid removed, but nutrients in the exudate that facilitate biofilm production were also drawn off.5
Decreases the tissue bacterial level
- A study that evaluated Drawtex in an infected burn model demonstrated that Drawtex can draw methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from either an inoculated broth or an experimental burn wound eschar.6
- Similar results were reported in patients with chronic wounds, where tissue biopsy bacterial counts decreased from 106 to 102 CFUs per gram of tissue, while at the same time the bacterial counts in the Drawtex dressings increased up to 104 CFUs.7
Removes harmful MMPs
Chronic wounds have excessive inflammation, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, increased proteases such as MMPs, and decreased growth factors.8-10 Removing or decreasing the harmful MMPs is an important aspect of wound bed preparation.
- One study reported that Drawtex could draw MMP-9 and transport it for a distance up to 7cm from the wound.11
- Another similar study showed that both MMP-9 and MMP-1 were drawn out of chronic wounds with Drawtex wound dressings, as well as a concomitant rise in MMPs in the Drawtex dressings.7
Sets the stage for endogenous healing or wound closure procedures
With Drawtex meeting the goals listed above for wound bed preparation, obstacles to endogenous wound healing or wound closure procedures are removed. *iCLR Technology® powered by Elixr®
Drawtex Tracheostomy Dressing
Drawtex Tracheostomy Dressing has the same three mechanisms of action as the Drawtex Wound Dressing. In addition, it is designed to fit neatly around a tracheostomy tube with an interlocking closure, making it easy to use. By drawing out and managing the exudate and toxic components that compromise wound healing, Drawtex Tracheostomy reduces the risk of peristomal maceration.
Beier's flagship technology, Drawtex, is the first hydroconductive wound dressing that features exclusive LevaFiber Technology, aiding effective wound bed preparation without damaging newly formed tissue.1-4