RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To describe the methods which were used to develop collagen-based materials for wound dressing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fresh frozen bovine tendon was treated with 0.05 mol/L acetic acid at pH 3.2 for 48-72 hours, homogenized, filtered, mixed with 8% chondroitin sulphate, for creating a deaerated 1.5%-2.5% collagen solution. The solution was lyophilized in either a pre-frozen or non-pre-frozen mould. The collagen sponge was then cross-linked with 0.25% glutaraldehyde for 24 hours. Three other types of wound dressings were developed using a similar method: collagen membrane with a polyurethane membrane onlay, polyurethane-coated collagen membrane and collagen membrane on gauze.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It was demonstrated that the use of frozen bovine tendon was stable, and that the prepared collagen sponge contained pores of 50-400 microm in diameter.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Collagen could be used as wound dressing.</p>