Actisorb Silver 220 Antimicrobial Binding Dressing — Activated Charcoal + Silver, Odor & Infection Control, 3 Sizes

Three actions. One dressing. Kills bacteria, binds toxins, and eliminates odor — simultaneously. Actisorb Silver 220 by Systagenix (now 3M) is a unique activated charcoal cloth dressing embedded with silver that addresses the three most disruptive elements of infected, malodorous, and heavily contaminated wounds in a single primary dressing. The activated charcoal layer traps and physically binds odor-causing molecules, bacteria, and bacterial toxins within the dressing structure — removing them from the wound environment permanently. Silver embedded within the charcoal provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial kill against bacteria, fungi, and viral pathogens on contact. The entire charcoal and silver structure is enclosed in a non-adherent nylon sleeve that allows exudate to flow freely through to a secondary dressing while protecting the wound bed from the charcoal itself — and facilitating clean, low-trauma removal. Non-adhesive. Can be used under compression bandaging. Three sizes for small, standard, and larger wound coverage.

✔ Activated Charcoal — Physically Binds Bacteria, Toxins & Odor Molecules    ✔ Embedded Silver — Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Kill    ✔ Non-Adherent Nylon Sleeve — Low-Trauma Removal, Exudate Flows Through    ✔ Triple Action — Kill, Bind & Trap in One Dressing    ✔ Compatible With Compression Bandaging    ✔ Sterile, Non-Adhesive

Product Details & Available Sizes

Indicated For — Wound Types & Applications

• Infected wounds — primary indication; silver kills broad-spectrum pathogens while charcoal removes bacterial toxins
• Malodorous wounds — heavily odorous chronic wounds where odor management is a clinical and quality-of-life priority
• Pressure ulcers — all stages with infection or odor component
• Venous leg ulcers — particularly those with bacterial burden or odor
• Diabetic foot ulcers — non-ischemic, with infection concern
• First and second degree burns
• Donor sites
• Surgical wounds — including dehisced or infected surgical sites
• Partial and full thickness wounds in the inflammatory phase with moderate to heavy exudate
• Wounds requiring primary dressing under compression bandaging

Note: Actisorb Silver 220 is not indicated for dry wounds. A secondary absorbent dressing is always required. Infected wounds should be regularly evaluated and systemically treated as appropriate — Actisorb manages local bacterial burden but does not replace systemic antibiotic therapy where indicated.

How Actisorb Silver 220 Works — Triple Action Explained

Most antimicrobial dressings perform one function — they release a biocidal agent (typically silver ions) into the wound environment to kill bacteria. Actisorb Silver 220 performs three distinct and complementary functions simultaneously:

• Action 1 — Silver kills pathogens. Silver particles are embedded directly within the activated charcoal cloth. Embedded silver particles kill bacteria and fungi, while a highly porous activated charcoal layer binds toxins and odor causing molecules. The silver provides broad-spectrum coverage against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and viral pathogens — including antibiotic-resistant organisms such as MRSA.
• Action 2 — Activated charcoal binds bacteria and toxins. The highly porous activated charcoal cloth physically traps bacteria, bacterial endotoxins, and other wound-impairing molecules within its pore structure. Crucially, this is a binding action — organisms and toxins captured by the charcoal are held within the dressing structure and removed with the dressing at change, rather than simply killed in place and left in the wound bed where they continue to trigger an inflammatory response.
• Action 3 — Charcoal eliminates wound odor. The activated charcoal layer not only traps in odor but also binds bacteria and toxins to control exudate. Odor-causing volatile molecules produced by bacterial metabolism are adsorbed and trapped within the charcoal structure — reducing or eliminating the malodor that significantly affects patient quality of life and clinical management of chronic infected wounds.

The non-adherent nylon sleeve around the charcoal/silver core serves two additional functions: it prevents direct contact between the charcoal and the wound bed (which could leave residue), and it allows wound exudate to flow freely through the dressing to an overlying absorbent secondary dressing — keeping the wound bed from becoming waterlogged while the charcoal and silver do their work.

Choosing the Right Size

• 105220 (2-1/2 x 3-3/4") — Smallest format. Compact pressure injuries, small venous ulcers, narrow surgical sites, and wounds where the larger sizes would significantly overhang. Box of 10.
• 650220 (4-1/8 x 4-1/8") — Square format. Standard pressure ulcers, surgical wounds, and any wound where equal coverage in both directions is preferred over a rectangular footprint. Box of 10.
• 190220 (4-1/8 x 7-1/2") — Largest format. Standard and large venous ulcers, larger surgical wounds, diabetic foot wounds, and wounds requiring extended rectangular coverage. Box of 10.

Not sure which size is right for your wound? Call 1-866-218-0902 — Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm EST

Application Instructions

1. Cleanse the wound with sterile saline and remove any loose debris or dressing residue
2. Select the appropriate Actisorb size — the dressing should cover the full wound surface
3. Remove from sterile packaging immediately before use
4. Apply the dressing directly to the wound bed with either side facing the wound — both surfaces of the nylon sleeve are non-adherent
5. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing — an absorbent pad, foam dressing, or adhesive-bordered dressing to secure and absorb exudate passing through the Actisorb
6. Where clinically indicated, apply compression bandaging over the secondary dressing
7. Change frequency depends on exudate volume — change when the secondary dressing is saturated or as clinically directed; do not allow the secondary dressing to strike through to the outer bandage
8. To remove: lift gently — the non-adherent nylon sleeve should release cleanly from the wound bed; irrigate with saline if any adhesion is noted

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Questions about Actisorb Silver 220 or any antimicrobial wound dressing? Call 1-866-218-0902 — our team is ready to help.