EP2935425A1

EP2935425A1 - Novel hydrophilic polymer foam comprising maltodextrin

Info

Publication number: EP2935425A1
Application number: EP13818305.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Marc Henri Maurice PERNOT
Original assignee: Laboratoires Urgo SAS
Current assignee: Laboratoires Urgo SAS
Priority date: 2012-12-18
Filing date: 2013-12-16
Publication date: 2015-10-28
Also published as: US20150329665A1; CN104870535A; FR2999580A1; BR112015014612A2; WO2014096654A1; CA2893998A1; JP2016504454A

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a novel hydrophilic polymer foam comprising maltodextrin, whose wound-packing properties are improved relative to a conventional hydrophilic polymer foam. The present invention can be used in the field of personal hygiene products, hygienic devices such as diapers, tampons, wipes, or sanitary napkins, as well as in the fields of bandaging cosmetics or horticulture.

Description

A novel hydrophilic polymeric foam comprising maltodextrin

The present invention relates to a novel hydrophilic polymeric foam comprising maltodextrin whose rate of absorption of a liquid is improved over a conventional hydrophilic polymeric foam.

The present invention finds application in the fields of hygiene and health, in particular in devices for which efficient absorption of biological fluids is required. The present invention finds particular application in the field of dressings, personal hygiene products, hygienic devices such as diapers, sanitary napkins, pads, or wipes.

The invention is also applicable in the fields of cosmetics and horticulture.

State of the art

The mechability or wicking effect of a foam is generally defined as the duration put by a precise amount of liquid to be absorbed on the surface of the foam and spread in its volume. This intrinsic characteristic of the hydrophilic polymer foam is particularly decisive in the medical field, for example for the management of oozing wounds releasing exudates, but also in the fields of hygienic products and horticulture where the management of fluids is an important problem.

In the field of hygiene, it is desirable to use hygienic devices capable of absorbing biological fluids, but also able to move them away from the surface of the skin. The skin of people, thus preserved from any moisture, is no longer subject to irritation or redness, for example in the case of exposure to a diaper stained urinary secretions.

In the field of horticulture, absorption properties or even water retention are particularly favorable to better rooting of the plant and a reduction of the irrigation intervals of the latter.

From a medical point of view, it is known that wound exudates, in most cases, tend to decrease as the wound heals. However, in some cases, the amount of exudates may increase during the course of healing and disrupt the smooth process. It is therefore necessary to have a medical device having good wicking properties so that the exudates are absorbed relatively quickly by the latter and thus that the exudates, during the application of the dressing, do not find themselves repulsed by contact. perilesional skin that is healthy, so avoid maceration.

To address these issues of fluid management, the improvement of the properties of mossiness of a foam is therefore a major point of interest. It is thus necessary for most manufacturers to design ever more developed foams whose properties of disablement are improved.

In the literature we can thus find many documents describing absorbent foams answering this problem.

The conventional absorbent foams that are most commonly incorporated in dressings are polyurethane foam materials. Hydrophilic polyurethane foams are generally prepared by polymerization of a hydrophilic prepolymer possessing isocyanate end groups which are activated in the presence of water.

Thus, for example, US 4,740,528 discloses a composition for the manufacture of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam containing amino acids whose properties of incompetency are improved. The foam is obtained from an isocyanate-terminated poly (alkyleneoxy) polyol prepolymer, in aqueous solution, the pH of which does not exceed 8. The prepolymer is associated with at least one amino acid having a carboxylic acid group. The carboxylic acid groups of the amino acid provide the foam with improved hydrophilic properties.

In the context of the present invention, the mechhability of polymeric foams has been improved by choosing a simpler alternative to produce, the manufacture of the foam that is the subject of the present invention being free of any pH constraint.

Surprisingly, it has been noted that the introduction of maltodextrin into a polymer foam gives said polymeric foam wicking properties, thereby responding to the problem described above.

The present invention therefore consists of a new hydrophilic polymer foam, in particular a hydrophilic polyurethane foam, comprising maltodextrin.

WO 2007/095713 describes a biodegradable hydrophobic polyurethane foam obtained by mixing polyhydroxybutyrates, polyols, isocyanates. It is suggested in this document to use maltodextrin as a polyol. Maltodextrin, used as a reaction intermediate along with isocyanates, reacts chemically with isocyanates to form polyurethane molecules. Maltodextrin is therefore not found in the foam in native form. In addition, the hydrophobicity of such a foam does not allow it to respond to the prerogatives of mismanagement.

The application WO 2008/157711 of the company Rynel describes, in a particular embodiment, a nonwoven on which capsules of active principles have been deposited. The capsules are fixed to the nonwoven by casting on a hyphophilic or hydrophobic polyurethane foam, which allows to preserve and protect them. Once the dressing is applied to a wound, the capsules trapped at the interface of the nonwoven and the foam dissolve in contact with the exudates and release the active ingredient which is released on the wound. Polymers of the polyethylene oxide type are preferentially used to encapsulate the active principles.

Maltodextrin is also known to absorb good amounts of oil. It is generally used as blowing agent, encapsulant, filler, excipient or aroma carrier. It is also known to be a sorbent agent in the intestine and allow a better assimilation of various nutrients at this level, in which it is very popular with athletes.

So far, no document has described a hydrophilic polymeric foam comprising maltodextrin. It has also not been suggested in the prior art to improve the wicking effect of a foam by incorporating maltodextrin therein.

Summary of the invention

Thus the present invention consists of a new hydrophilic polymer foam characterized in that it comprises maltodextrin. Here, hydrophilic polymer foam is understood to mean a cellular material, obtained by a polymerization reaction, having absorption properties of aqueous liquids.

The polymeric foam may be selected from hydrophilic polyurethane foams and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foams.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention consists of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam comprising a quantity of maltodextrin of between 1 and 50% by weight, preferably between 3 and 20% by weight, and more preferably between 3 and 10% by weight. % by weight, of the final weight of said foam.

According to another aspect, the subject of the invention is the use of maltodextrin as a disintegrating agent in a hydrophilic polymer foam, especially when this foam is included in a dressing of the hydrocellular or hydrocolloid type.

According to yet another of its aspects, the invention relates to a method for preparing a hydrophilic polymer foam which comprises preparing a reaction mixture comprising monomers or a prepolymer intended to polymerize, and to bring said mixture into contact with maltodextrin. .

Detailed description of the invention

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of example.

Thus the present invention consists of a new hydrophilic polymer foam characterized in that it comprises maltodextrin. The hydrophilic polymeric foam may be selected from hydrophilic polyurethane foams or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foams.

According to one embodiment, the foam is a hydrophilic polyurethane foam. A hydrophilic polyurethane foam can be made from a precursor mixture in the form of an aqueous dispersion containing either monomers or prepolymers.

The prepolymer of the hydrophilic polyurethane foam can already be synthesized. On the contrary, if the prepolymer is to be prepared, it is possible to make the hydrophilic polyurethane foam in one or two steps. In one step, the hydrophilic polyurethane foam is made by reacting both polyols, polyisocyanates, water and a surfactant. In two steps, the prepolymer is synthesized in a step prior to the addition of water and surfactant, by reacting the polyols and polyisocyanates.

If the prepolymer is already synthesized, it suffices simply to react the latter with water and a surfactant to obtain a hydrophilic polyurethane foam. It should be noted that the surfactant is not an essential compound for the production of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam, it is only optional, but plays a major role on the control of the reaction and on the physico-chemical characteristics foam obtained.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term "polyol" means any natural or synthetic compound having a plurality of hydroxyl groups, said groups being capable of reacting with isocyanate groups to yield urethane bridges. In the case of polyols of synthetic origin, polyethylene glycol and polyethers are the most frequently used by manufacturers of hydrophilic polyurethane foams, in particular because of their hydrophilicity. In the case of polyols of natural origin, these can be derived from the products defined by the following non-exhaustive list: xylose, arabinose, glucose, sucrose, dextrins, glycerin, starch, castor oil, soybean oil, vegetable oil. In the context of the present invention, the polyols preferably used will be of the poly (ethyleneoxy) polyol or poly (propyleneoxy) polyols type or a mixture of both.

By "polyisocyanates" is meant any compound which may be selected from the group consisting of toluene-2,4-diisocyanate, toluene-2,6-diisocyanate, ethylidene diisocyanate, propylene-1,2-diisocyanate, cyclohexylene-1, 2-diisocyanate, cyclohexylene-1, 4-diisocyanate, triphenylmethane 4, 4 ^1, 4 "triisocyanate, diisocyanate, m-phenylene, 4, 4'-biphenylene diisocyanate, 3, 3 '4'-dichloro-4'-biphenylene diisocyanate, benzene-1,3,5-triisocyanate, toluene-2,4,6-triisocyanate, 2,4,4-diphenyl-2,4,4-triisocyanate, 1,4-tetramethylene diisocyanate, 1,β-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,10-decamethylene diisoycanate, xylene diisocyanate, chlorophenylene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane-, 4'-diisocyanate, naphthalene-1,5-diisocyanate, cumene-2,4-diisocyanate; diisocyanate, 4-methoxy-1,3-phenylene diisocyanate, 4-chloro-1,3-phenylene diisocyanate, 4-bromo-1,3-phenyl diisocyanate, 4-ethoxy-1,3-phenylene diisocyanate, 4-bromo-1,3-phenylene diisocyanate, 4-ethoxy-1,3-phenylene diisocyanate, 2,4-diisocyanatodiphenyl ether, 5, 6-dimethyl-1,3-phenylene diisocyanate, 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-phenylene diisocyanate, 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenyl ether, benzidine diisocyanate, xylene-alpha, alpha diisothiocyanate, 3,3'-dimethyl-4,4'-biphenylene diisocyanate, 2,2 ', 5,5'-tetramethyl-4,4'-biphenylene diisocyanate, 4,4'-methylenebis (phenylisocyanate), 4,4'-sulfonylbis (phenylisocyanate), 4,4'-methylene di-o-tolylisocyanate, ethylene diisocyanate, ethylene diisothiocyanate, and trimethylene diisocyanate.

The constituent prepolymers of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam are preferably of the poly (alkyleneoxy) polyol type. These prepolymers, polyurethane prepolymers having isocyanate terminal bonds are particularly preferred such as prepolymers marketed under the trademark Dow Hypol ^®, ^® PREPOL by Lendell Manufacturing Inc. ^® Hydropol by Mace Adhesives & Coatings Co., Aquapol ^® by Carpenter Co. and Urepol ^® by EnviroChem Technologies. These isocyanate terminal bonds may correspond to aromatic isocyanates, for example toluene diisocyanate (TDI) or methylene diphenyl isocyanate (MDI), or to aliphatic isocyanate groups, for example isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), but also hydrogenated methylene diphenyl isocyanate (HMDI). Among the products of the Hypol ^® brand that can be used in the context of the present invention, there are Hypol 2000 ^® , Hypol 2002 E ^® , Hypol 3000 ^® , Hypol 4000 ^® , or Hypol 5000 ^® . Preferentially in the context of the present invention, the prepolymer used in the production of the hydrophilic polyurethane foam will be Hypol 2002 E ^® .

The precursor mixture of the foam may contain a surfactant of cationic, anionic or nonionic type or a silicone-based surfactant.

A wide variety of surfactants known in the state of the art can be proposed for its incorporation into the production of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam. Among known surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants or anionic surfactants such as fatty acid salts, sulfuric acid ester salts, phosphoric acid ester salts and sulfonates may be present in the basic composition object of the present invention. Preferably, the surfactants used in the production of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam will be nonionic surfactants such as certain products marketed by BASF under the name Pluronic ^® . Even more preferably, the surfactant used in the production of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam is Pluronic PE6200 ^®, oxide copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, or Pluronic PE6800 ^®. Another type of known surfactant that can be used in the context of the present invention is represented by silicone-based surfactants. Among these, there may be mentioned hydrolyzable copolymers of polysiloxane-polyoxyalkylene, non-hydrolyzable copolymers of polysiloxane-polyoxyalkylene, cyanoalkylpolysiloxanes, alkylpolysiloxanes, polydimethylsiloxanes and dimethylpolysiloxanes-polyoxyalkylene modified. The type of silicone-based surfactant used and the amount required depend on the type of foam to be produced.

The maltodextrin used in the context of the present invention is a product of the hydrolysis of starch. Once mixed with the precursor monomers or prepolymers of the hydrophilic polymer foam, the maltodextrin advantageously retains its native form: it does not react chemically with the constituents of the foam and is found to be disseminated throughout the foam thus produced. Maltodextrin is preferably distributed throughout the mass of the foam.

Maltodextrin preferably has an equivalent dextrose (DE) less than or equal to 20. It is in the form of an odorless powder and neutral taste that can be represented by the following formula:

2 <n <20

It is preferred to use a maltodextrin with very good dispersion and water solubility. Maltodextrin thus preferably has a particle size of between 40 and 500 μιη.

The maltodextrin introduced into the foam of the present invention is for example of the brand Glucidex ^® produced by Roquette.

In the hydrophilic polymer foam, the maltodextrin is preferably between 1 and 50% by weight, preferably between 3 and 20%, for example between 3 and 10%, by weight of the total weight of the foam.

The invention also relates to a method for preparing a hydrophilic polymer foam which comprises preparing a reaction mixture comprising monomers or a prepolymer for polymerizing, and to bring said mixture with maltodextrin.

The maltodextrin may be incorporated into the hydrophilic polyurethane foam either in the form of a powder during a step prior to the synthesis of said foam, or mixed in the aqueous phase, that is to say introduced into a solution of surfactant and distilled water.

According to a particular embodiment, the hydrophilic polymer foam of the invention is obtained incorporating the maltodextrin (in solid form or solution form) into a solution of monomers or prepolymer, so that the polymerization reaction occurs in the presence of maltodextrin. In order to produce a hydrophilic polyurethane foam whose properties of dishability are improved, simply mix in a container, a large amount of distilled water and surfactant, then homogenize said preparation. In a second step, a pre-established amount of this preparation is taken and maltodextrin is added thereto. The mixture is mixed with a mixer, then in a third step is added prepolymer. The preparation thus obtained is again mixed in a mixer, then allowed to swell or poured between two siliconized papers and put in an oven for a prolonged period.

It is also possible to produce a hydrophilic polyurethane foam by depositing in a first step maltodextrin powder in the bottom of the container before casting a reaction mixture based on surfactant, water and prepolymer.

There are several processes for obtaining a hydrophilic polyurethane foam.

Classically in the industry, hydrophilic polyurethane foams are produced according to two types of process, a method for obtaining such a foam in the so-called "mattress" form, foam which in a second time will be cut out at a desired thickness value, and a controlled thickness process in which the foam is obtained directly at a desired thickness value. In the laboratory, in order to mimic these two types of processes, foams in the so-called "mushroom" form are produced to reproduce the process of obtaining foam in the form of a mattress, and foams in the form of a plate are produced to reproduce on a small scale. scale a process for obtaining controlled thickness foam. If it is desired to obtain a foam in the form of a plate, it suffices to pour the foam obtained at the end of the third step described above between two silicone papers separated on each side by shims whose thickness corresponds to the desired thickness. foam and on which, on its upper surface, is affixed a plate and a weight to limit the vertical rise of said foam. If it is desired to obtain a foam in the form of a mushroom, it suffices simply to allow the foam to swell in a container during the final stage and allow it to rise, without, of course, spreading it out.

The mismanagement of the hydrophilic polymeric foam can be evaluated according to the following test, preferably when it is obtained by a "mattress" type process. The foam is cut into several slices, and the wicking test is performed on each slice, to control that the absorption rate is the same on all levels of the foam. A solution based on distilled water and dye is prepared, a solution of which a predetermined volume is poured onto the surface of the chosen slice of foam. The time taken for this solution to be totally absorbed is calculated. This gives the absorption time of a given volume. This makes it possible to determine the speed put by a drop of volume x to be absorbed, and thus to define the value given to the mechability or wicking effect of the foam.

It is necessary to compare these absorption rates of a hydrophilic polymer foam comprising maltodextrin to a negative control control consisting of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam of the same type as that of the test object, the presence of maltodextrin less . When the foam is obtained in the form of a plate, the test of incompetence to be applied is substantially the same as that described above. Abstain from the cutting step, and simply measure the absorption time on each side.

The object of the present invention finds a preferred application in the provision of dressings for the absorption of wound exudates. Maltodextrin incorporated into a hydrophilic polyurethane foam indeed promotes the absorption of exudates from the wound of the patient. The foam is the main layer of the dressing or one of the layers of the latter. Thus, the hydrophilic polymer foam comprising maltodextrin may be used in the manufacture of hydrocellular or hydrocolloid type dressings.

The invention thus has for another object a hydrocellular or hydrocolloid dressing comprising a hydrophilic polymer foam comprising maltodextrin as described above.

The invention also relates to the use of maltodextrin as a disintegrating agent in a hydrophilic polymer foam, in particular when the foam is part of a dressing of the hydrocellular or hydrocolloid type. In this embodiment, maltodextrin may also be used as an agent for promoting the absorption of exudates from a wound to which the dressing is applied.

The foam of the invention can be used more generally for any application that requires the absorption of liquids such as water or various urinary secretions. This may be particularly useful in horticulture where water absorption and retention allow decreased irrigation intervals or better rooting of the plant, but also in different hygiene devices, such as nappy pants, where the absorption of liquid by the foam is its distance from the surface makes it possible not to maintain contact such a wet device to the skin, and thus prevent the appearance of many lesions. Examples

EXAMPLE 1 Hydrophilic Polyurethane Foam Comprising Maltodextrin Foam Manufacturing

In 98 g of distilled water, add 2 g of Pluronic 6200 ^® , then homogenize using a conventional propeller mixer at 500 rpm. Take 30 g of this aqueous phase to which 1 g of Glucidex IT 12 ^{® is added} (in this case, the water-soluble compound is said to be mixed in the aqueous phase). Mix in the beaker for 30 seconds, still using a conventional propeller mixer, at 300 rpm, then add 15 g of Hypol 2002 E ^® . Shake everything for 20 seconds with the propeller at 800 rpm. Allow the foam to swell to maximum expansion, then put in an oven at 70 ° C for at least 4 hours. This gives a hydrophilic polyurethane foam comprising maltodextrin, maltodextrin mixed in aqueous phase, in the form of mushroom.

It should be noted that the Glucidex IT 12 ^® in the form of powder can be deposited beforehand at the bottom of the beaker, beaker in which will be poured the reaction mixture constituting the foam in a second time. It is therefore necessary to deposit 1 g of Glucidex IT 12 ^® in the bottom of a beaker. Then the constitutive mixture of the polyurethane foam is poured onto this powder so as to obtain a foam comprising maltodextrin in the form of mushroom, that is to say that the foam is not spread, the latter swells and therefore takes height.

It is also possible to make a foam in the form of a plate. The only difference with respect to the process for obtaining a mushroom-shaped foam, whether the water-soluble compound is mixed in aqueous phase or is deposited in powder form, lies in the last step. At this level, the foam is cast between two silicone papers separated on each side by shims of the thickness that is desired to give to the foam, for example 4 mm and on which is found affixed to its surface upper plate and a weight to limit the vertical rise of said foam. After expansion, this set is put in an oven at 70 ° C for at least 4 hours.

Measurement method for the mismanagement of hydrophilic polyurethane foam comprising maltodextrin produced in the form of a mushroom

Once the foam is mushroomed, cut it into 3 or 4 slices in the direction of its height. The measurement of the wicking effect of a liquid will be performed on each slice of the mushroom. The goal is to see if this effect wick is identical throughout the height of the foam.

To do this, simply pour in a beaker a little distilled water and add a little E131 dye in order to visualize the absorption of the colored drop. 200 L of this solution is withdrawn with a syringe and the contents of the syringe are poured onto the sample to be tested and the stopwatch. When the liquid is completely absorbed, the stopwatch is stopped. This gives the absorption time of a drop of 200 L. This gives the wicking effect of said slice of foam.

Measurement of the Dishability of a Hydrophilic Polyurethane Foam Comprising Maltodextrin Produced in the Form of a Fungus When the water-soluble compound is in the form of a powder at the start of the production of the foam, the measured mechability is 15 seconds over all the slices of the mushroom, with the exception of one, the upper slice of the mushroom, where the absorption of the liquid is a little longer. This is most likely due to the "skin effect" that forms on the top of the foam, even though the Glucidex IT 12 ^® is diffused over the entire height of the mushroom.

When the water-soluble compound is mixed in the aqueous phase at the start of the production of the foam, the measured mechability is 20 seconds on all the slices, even the upper slice of the fungus. Glucidex IT 12 ^® diffuses over the entire height of the mushroom.

Method for measuring the mismatch of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam comprising maltodextrin produced in the form of a plate

Once the foam is cast in the form of a plate, the cutting step applied to the foam obtained in the form of a mushroom is abstained. The measurement test of the wicking effect of a liquid will be performed directly on each of the two faces of the foam obtained in the form of a plate. The goal is to see if this wick effect is identical on each side of the foam .

To do this, simply pour in a beaker a little distilled water and add a little E131 dye in order to visualize the absorption of the colored drop. 200 of this solution are withdrawn with the aid of a syringe and the contents of the syringe are poured onto the sample to be tested and the stopwatch is started. When the liquid is completely absorbed, the stopwatch is stopped. This gives the absorption time of a drop of 200 μΐι. The wicking effect of the foam obtained in the form of a plate is thus obtained.

Measurement of the Mismility of a Hydrophilic Polyurethane Foam Comprising Maltodextrin in Plate Form

When the water-soluble compound is in powder form at the start of the production of the foam, the measured mechability is between 45 seconds and 1 minute 20 seconds on the face of the foam that has been in contact with the Glucidex IT 12 ^® .

Comparative Example 2

Mosquito test Foam in the form of mushroom

Quantity of negative control maltodextrin in (absence of the sample = lg maltodextrin)

maltodextrin

introduced as 15 seconds

of powder superior to 2

Maltodextrin minutes mixed in phase 20 seconds

aqueous The results obtained in the context of the present invention are indeed significant because maltodextrin increases the absorption kinetic capacities of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam. Indeed, the absorption rates of the colored water drop of a volume of 200 μΐ, deposited on the surface of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam comprising maltodextrin, whether introduced as a powder or mixed in aqueous phase, are between 15 and 20 seconds. The negative control, hydrophilic polyurethane foam not comprising maltodextrin, has meanwhile absorption kinetics greater than 2 minutes. Thus, these results corroborate the fact that maltodextrin has a role of disintegrating agent in a hydrophilic polymer foam.

Comparative Example 3

The results obtained in the context of the present invention are indeed significant because the Maltodextrin increases the absorption kinetics of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam. Indeed, the absorption rates of the colored water drop of a volume of 200 μΐι deposited on the surface of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam comprising maltodextrin are between 45 and 80 seconds. The negative control, hydrophilic polyurethane foam not comprising maltodextrin, has meanwhile absorption kinetics greater than 2 minutes. Thus, these results corroborate the fact that maltodextrin has a role of disintegrating agent in a hydrophilic polymer foam.

Claims

claims

1. Hydrophilic polymer foam characterized in that it comprises maltodextrin.

2. Foam according to claim 1, characterized in that the foam is a hydrophilic polyurethane foam.

3. Foam according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a quantity of maltodextrin of between 1 and 50% by weight, preferably between 3 and 20% by weight, and more preferably between 3 and 10% by weight. weight, the total weight of said foam.

4. Foam according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maltodextrin is distributed throughout the mass of the foam.

5. Foam according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maltodextrin has an equivalent dextrose less than or equal to 20, or a particle size of between 40 and 500 microns.

Hydrocellular or hydrocolloid dressing comprising a hydrophilic polymer foam according to one of the preceding claims.

7. Use of maltodextrin as a disintegrating agent in a hydrophilic polymer foam.

8. Use according to claim 7, wherein the foam is part of a hydrocellular or hydrocolloid type dressing.

9. Use according to claim 8, characterized in that maltodextrin is also used as an agent promoting the absorption of exudates from a wound on which the dressing is applied.

A process for preparing a hydrophilic polymeric foam which comprises preparing a reaction mixture comprising monomers or prepolymer for polymerizing, and bringing said mixture into contact with maltodextrin.