AQUACEL® Ag+
Scientifically developed to win the battle against biofilm
AQUACEL® Ag+ disrupts and destroys biofilm. Specifically developed to win the battle against biofilm, MORE THAN SILVER™ Technology contains three components; ionic silver together with a surfactant and metal chelating agent, which work together to deliver superior anti-biofilm performance.1
- Rapid, superior and sustained anti-biofilm activity against antibiotic-resistant biofilm and
prevents reformation of biofilm.2 - Absorbs wound fluid, bacteria and biofilm, providing a moist wound healing environment,
aiding autolytic debridement and removing dead-space between the wound and dressing
interface.3 - Provides a barrier to protect the wound bed from contamination.3
- Effectively kills bacteria, yeasts and moulds in both planktonic and biofilm form.3
How it Works: MORE THAN SILVER™ technology
Surfactants help to dissolve and remove contamination from surfaces by lowering the surface tension and can be found in products such as skin wipes. MORE THAN SILVER™ technology incorporates BEC (Benzethonium chloride).
BEC reduces the surface tension within a biofilm to enhance the ability of EDTA to remove metal ions in biofilm. BEC and EDTA synergistically work together to disrupt biofilm structures aiding the absorption and removal of the EPS and microorganisms by the dressing.4-8
Chelating agents are compounds that strongly attract and bind certain metal ions, boosting the action of surfactants. MORE THAN SILVER™ technology incorporates EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt).
EDTA helps disrupt biofilm by removing metal ions that hold the EPS matrix together to expose microorganisms to the antimicrobial effects of the ionic silver.4-7
The AQUACEL® Ag+ difference
Winning the battle against hard-to-heal wounds
1. Bowler PG, Parsons, D. Combatting wound biofilm and recalcitrance with a novel anti-biofilm Hydrofiber® wound dressing. Wound Medicine 14 (2016) 6–11.
2. WHRI5860 MA322- In-vitro Antimicrobial Activity of AQUACEL Ag + Extra and AQUACEL Ag Extra against Acticoat 7, Silvercel NA and Urgotul Ag -V1. Convatec data on file. 27 November 2018.
3. Instructions for Use; Aquacel® Ag+ Extra™ dressing.
4. Said J, Walker M, Parsons D, Stapleton P, Beezer AE, Gaisford S. An in vitro test of the efficacy of an anti-biofilm wound dressing. Int J Pharmaceutics. 2014; 474: 177–181. DOI: 10.1016/jijpharm.2014.08.034.
5. Composition comprising antimicrobial metal ions and a quaternary cationic surfactant WO12136968 Parsons World patent application 11th October 2012.
6. Banin E., Brady K.M. & Greenberg E.P. (2006). Chelator Induced Dispersal and Killing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Cells in Biofilm. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72. 2064 2069.
7. Chen X, Stewart PS, 2000. Biofilm removal caused by chemical treatments. Wat. Res.,34: 4229 4233.
8. Seth AK, Zhong A, Nguyen KT, Hong SJ, Leung KP, Galiano RD, Mustoe TA. Impact of a novel, antimicrobial dressing on in vivo, Pseudomonas aeruginosa wound biofilm: quantitative comparative analysis using a rabbit ear model. Wound Repair Regen. 2014; 22: 712–719. DOI: 10.1111/wrr.12232.
9. Hobot JA, Walker M, Newman GN, Bowler PG, 2008. Effect of Hydrofiber® wound dressings on bacterial ultrastructure. J Electr Micro; 57: 67-75.
10. T. J. Beveridge, W. S. Fyfe. Metal fixation by bacterial cell walls. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 1985, 22(12): 1893-1898, https://doi.org/10.1139/e85-204.