Acticoat 7 wound dressing. This wound dressing is impregnated with small particles of silver. The silver particles have an antimicrobial effect, helping to prevent some bacterial and fungal infections. This dressing is is designed to be used on wounds like leg ulcers, pressure sores, and other chronic (long-term) wounds. The silver in Acticoat dressings is impregnated using a lengthy 14-hour vapour deposition process invented by Robert Burrell. The Acticoat brand was launched in 1998, and acquired by Smith & Nephew in 2001.