Collagen-based devices for soft tissue repair.

Abstract

The intrinsic biological and physiochemical characteristics of collagen have been exploited to prepare a variety of commercially available medical products spanning many medical specialties. The properties of purified collagen can be modified to obtain forms which comply to specific applications. In particular, collagen materials in the form of gels, matrices, and films have been applied, either alone or in combination with other agents, to address soft tissue repair. This review describes how the versatile properties of collagen have made it one of the most useful biomaterials for wound care applications.