Hydrogel Wound Dressings - Iodosorb, Iodoflex, Wound Gels
Hydrogel wound dressings for dry or dehydrated wound beds and combined antimicrobial coverage - Smith & Nephew Iodosorb cadexomer iodine paste (10gm, 20gm, 40gm tubes; 17gm pump), Iodoflex pad format (5gm and 10gm dressings), Smith & Nephew HydroGel amorphous gel (1.5 oz and 3 oz), and Gentell Aquasite hydrogel saturated gauze. Provides moisture donation to dry wound beds and iodine-based antimicrobial activity. Sterile, ships within 24 hours. Wholesale case pricing.
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Hydrogel Dressings for Dry Wound Beds and Bioburden Management
Hydrogel wound dressings serve two clinical functions that distinguish them from other advanced wound dressings. First, they donate moisture to dry or dehydrated wound beds - the opposite of the absorption function provided by foam, alginate and gelling fiber dressings. This makes hydrogels essential for wounds with eschar, slough or dry wound beds where re-hydration supports autolytic debridement and wound bed preparation. Second, the iodine-based hydrogels (Iodosorb, Iodoflex) deliver sustained release of cadexomer iodine for bioburden management in chronic colonized wounds. The catalog covers both amorphous gel formats (tubes, pumps) for application into irregular wound geometries and pad/sheet formats for flat wound coverage.
Hydrogel Products Available
- Smith & Nephew Iodosorb (cadexomer iodine paste) - The iodine-based hydrogel platform for combined moisture donation and antimicrobial coverage. Available in 10gm, 20gm and 40gm tubes plus 17gm pump applicator. Used for chronic wounds with colonization and bioburden requiring sustained iodine release.
- Smith & Nephew Iodoflex (cadexomer iodine pad) - Pad format of the cadexomer iodine platform. Available in 5gm and 10gm dressings, with multi-pack box configurations. Provides the same iodine antimicrobial release in a sheet format for flat wound coverage rather than tube application.
- Smith & Nephew HydroGel (amorphous) - Non-medicated amorphous hydrogel for moisture donation without iodine. Available in 1.5 oz and 3 oz tube/applicator formats. Used for dry wound beds requiring re-hydration without antimicrobial coverage.
- Gentell Aquasite - Hydrogel saturated gauze in 4x4 inch pad format. Combines hydrogel moisture donation with a conformable gauze carrier for wound bed coverage.
Hydrogel Formats by Application Method
| Format | Application Method | Best For | Representative SKUs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amorphous gel (tube) | Squeeze gel directly into wound | Irregular wounds, cavity wounds, deep wound beds | Iodosorb tubes, HydroGel 1.5/3 oz |
| Pump applicator | Pump-dispensed gel | Controlled dose application, hand hygiene | Iodosorb 17gm pump |
| Sheet / pad | Apply pad directly to wound | Flat wound beds, easier nursing handoff | Iodoflex pads |
| Saturated gauze | Apply hydrogel-saturated gauze pad | Wound packing with hydrogel | Gentell Aquasite |
Iodosorb and Iodoflex Cadexomer Iodine
Cadexomer iodine is the active platform in Iodosorb and Iodoflex - it provides sustained-release iodine for broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in chronic wounds with bioburden. The cadexomer base also absorbs wound exudate and supports debridement of slough and necrotic material. The clinical applications include chronic venous ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers with colonization, pressure injuries with stalled progression due to bioburden, and any chronic wound where standard antimicrobial dressings have not produced expected wound bed improvement. Available formats range from small 5gm pads up to 40gm tubes for large or extensive wound application.
Amorphous Hydrogel for Re-Hydration
Non-medicated amorphous hydrogel (Smith & Nephew HydroGel) addresses a different clinical need: re-hydrating dry wound beds, eschar and dehydrated slough to support autolytic debridement. There is no antimicrobial component - the mechanism is purely moisture donation. Standard amorphous hydrogel is used in dry pressure injuries, dehydrated chronic wounds, dry traumatic wounds and any wound bed that has dried beyond the point where standard advanced dressings can re-establish a moist wound healing environment. Available in 1.5 oz and 3 oz tube formats for different wound size profiles.
Hydrogel dressings are clinically distinct from the majority of the wound dressings catalog - the moisture-donation and iodine-antimicrobial mechanisms address specific wound conditions (dry wound beds, chronic bioburden) that other advanced dressing classes do not handle well. The Iodosorb/Iodoflex iodine platform and the HydroGel amorphous line together cover the standard clinical hydrogel range, with the Aquasite saturated gauze format providing an alternative wound packing option. Order at the best Wholesale Prices with MAP Medical.
Top Hydrogel Products
- Smith & Nephew # 6602124014 - Iodosorb Wound Gel, 10gm tube
- Smith & Nephew # 6602125040 - Iodosorb Wound Gel, 40gm tube
- Smith & Nephew # 6602133005 - Iodoflex Wound Pad, 5gm dressing
- Smith & Nephew # 66027308 - HydroGel Amorphous, 1.5 oz applicator
- Smith & Nephew # 66027311 - HydroGel Amorphous, 3 oz tube
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between hydrogel dressings and other wound dressings?
Hydrogel dressings donate moisture to dry wound beds rather than absorbing exudate. This makes them clinically opposite to foam, alginate and gelling fiber dressings (which absorb high-volume exudate). Hydrogels are used on dry or dehydrated wound beds, eschar, dry slough and any wound where re-hydration is needed to support autolytic debridement and wound bed preparation. Some hydrogels (Iodosorb, Iodoflex) also deliver cadexomer iodine for sustained antimicrobial activity.
What is cadexomer iodine and how does it work in Iodosorb?
Cadexomer iodine is the active platform in Iodosorb and Iodoflex from Smith & Nephew. The cadexomer (a starch-based carrier) holds iodine and releases it slowly into the wound bed over the wear period, providing sustained antimicrobial activity. The cadexomer base also absorbs wound exudate and supports debridement of slough and necrotic material. The combination of sustained iodine release plus absorption plus debridement support is the clinical rationale for cadexomer iodine in chronic colonized wounds.
When should facilities use amorphous hydrogel vs. cadexomer iodine hydrogel?
Amorphous hydrogel (HydroGel) is used for re-hydrating dry wound beds, eschar and dehydrated slough where moisture donation is the only clinical need - no antimicrobial coverage is required. Cadexomer iodine hydrogel (Iodosorb, Iodoflex) is used when the wound has colonization or bioburden concerns and antimicrobial coverage is also needed. The choice depends on the wound bed condition and the clinical bioburden assessment.
Can hospitals order hydrogel dressings in bulk?
Yes. Hydrogel dressings are stocked in case quantities for hospitals, wound care centers, long-term care facilities and licensed distributors. Iodosorb tubes (6602124014, 6602125040), Iodoflex pads (6602133005) and HydroGel applicators (66027308, 66027311) are the most commonly automated standing order SKUs in facilities running active chronic wound programs. Contact our team for case pricing.
What hydrogel products should be in a wound care formulary?
A complete hydrogel formulary typically includes a non-medicated amorphous hydrogel (HydroGel 1.5 oz or 3 oz) for moisture donation, a cadexomer iodine tube format (Iodosorb 10gm or 20gm) for application into irregular wounds, and a cadexomer iodine pad format (Iodoflex 5gm or 10gm) for flat wound coverage. For facilities running active chronic wound and diabetic foot ulcer programs, the cadexomer iodine line is the higher-volume component. Contact our team to build a complete hydrogel formulary.