Our PLA Technology behind our family of novel synthetic wound healing products is based on a proprietary lactide-based copolymer. While PLA-based polymers have been used in medical devices (particularly bioabsorbable sutures) since the late 1980s, PMI has taken the technology to a new level in the development of bioabsorbable membranes and matrices.
Our proprietary PLA Technology allows us the flexibility to create a unique family of structures not available in biological products:
Because they work
Literature shows that lactic acid – and its ester lactate – stimulates the wound healing process by supporting angiogenesis and the rebuilding of the (epi-)dermis:
neovascularized area was achieved on day 1019
Lactic acid with a pKa of 3.83 reduces the pH, which accelerates wound healing through multiple mechanisms:
wound bed shifts to a neutral pH level in less than 1 day20
Our proprietary lactide-based copolymer is incorporated into a unique porous structure used in PMI’s SUPRATHEL® membrane and SUPRA SDRM® matrix. This combination of polymer and structure creates a positive environment for cell migration as well as tissue regeneration and re-epithelization.3,8,13
PLA Technology has a unique metabolic profile that induces numerous positive physiological effects during resorption. These include reduced tissue levels of total oxidant capacity, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as increased tissue levels of total antioxidant capacity and Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β).15,21
PMI is accelerating the Shift to Synthetics to improve patient outcomes, speed of healing, and reduce pain.17-18
Because synthetics are not based on biological materials, there is a much lower chance of contamination by residual presence of biological substances (e.g. proteins or pyrogens) which lead to inflammation, allergic reactions, or rejection of the material.
Compared to collagen dressings, PMI’s synthetic technology has been shown to significantly reduce the time to heal in chronic wounds by more than 40%.16
PMI’s PLA Technology significantly reduces pain at the donor sites17 and reduces narcotic administration in burn patients.18
1 Lu et al. J Biol Chem. 2002 Jun 28;277(26):23111-5. | 2 Lu et al. J Biol Chem. 2005 Dec 23;280(51):41928-39. | 3 Constant et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2000 Sep-Oct;8(5):353-60. | 4 Rendl et al. Br J Dermatol. 2001 Jul;145(1):3-9. | 5 Beckert et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2006 May-Jun;14(3):321-4. | 6 Nareika et al. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Oct;289(4):E534-42. | 7 Green et al. Nature. 1964 Oct 24:204:347-9. | 8 Hunt et al. Am J Surg. 1978 Mar;135(3):328-32. | 9 Klein et al. J Hand Surg Am. 2001 Sep;26(5):847-54. | 10 Wagner et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2004 May-Jun;12(3):368-73. | 11 Porporato et al. Angiogenesis. 2012 Dec;15(4):581-92. | 12 Ruan et al. J Biol Chem. 2013 Jul 19;288(29):21161-72. | 13 Trabold et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2003 Nov-Dec;11(6):504-9. | 14 Kumar et al. J Cell Physiol. 2007 May;211(2):477-85. | 15 Demircan et al. Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. 2021 Jan;27(1):122-31. | 16 Liden et al. Wounds. 2023 Aug;35(8):E257-60. | 17 GDemidova et al. Poster Presentation, EBA. 2017. | 18 Everett et al. J Wound Care. 2015 Jul;24(7):S4-8. | 19 RING ET AL. INT J ARTIF ORGANS. 2010 DEC;33(12):877-84. | 20 UNPUBLISHED DATA: PH REDUCTION IN VITRO WITH DIFFERENT STARTING PH LEVELS OF WATER | 21 GÜRÜNLÜOĞLU ET AL. J BURN CARE RES. 2019 JUN 21;40(4):444-50.
