Bovine tendon collagen matrix

Bovine tendon collagen matrix is an advanced bilayer scaffold for the dermal regeneration. The top layer of the dermal substitute represents a silicone membrane that works as a barrier. The second layer comprises of a three-dimensional matrix of bovine tendon collagen and chondroitin-6-sulfate. This is the layer that is in contact with the wound.

Collagens, proteoglycans/glycosaminoglycans, elastin, fibronectin, laminins, hyaluronic acid and several other glycoproteins are the components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), providing structural support of the cells. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the ECM and the major component of connective tissues. It is found in the skin, tendons, ligaments and muscles.

When tissues are transplanted between two different species, such as graft from animal to human patients, they are named as Xonegraft. The Xenograft tissues are subject of aggressive process, removing all immunogenic animal products from the tissue, leaving only the extracellular matrix tissue scaffold.

The dermal substitute is applied on a debrided wound. The bovine tendon collagen matrix stimulates the cell migration from the dermis and the formation of the new blood vessels. These processes usually take from 14 to 21 days. After this period, the silicon layer can be removed and the patient can undergo the second surgical step with split-thickness skin graft to close the non-healing wound.

Bovine tendon collagen matrix has been used successfully in the management of different types of non-healing wounds, for numerous clinical indications:

Pressure ulcers
Venous ulcers
Diabetic ulcers
Chronic vascular ulcers
Tunnelled/undermined wounds
Trauma wounds (abrasions, laceration skin tears, tissue damage)
Draining wounds