New Products and Industry News

Annual EPUAP Meeting to Address Current Pressure Ulcer Issues

  The 18th Annual Meeting of the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel will take place September 16–18, 2015 in Ghent, Belgium. The EPUAP conference is aimed at bringing together clinical care practitioners, researchers, and people from industry to discuss the current status of the problem in Europe and the world and to discuss new developments in pressure ulcer prevention, treatment, and care. The overall theme of this year’s conference is Putting the Pressure in the Heart of Europe.

  The program will include sessions, workshops, free paper presentations, poster presentations, and industry symposia. Main topics include the societal impact of pressure ulcers, health economics, how to put pressure ulcers on the international agenda for health care, pressure ulcers and quality indicators, developing and evaluating local and national quality improvement projects, and international collaboration in practice, research, and education. The EPUAP book, Science and Practice of Pressure Ulcer Management, will be launched at the EPUAP annual meeting.

  Abstracts on the following topics can be submitted until April 30, 2015: Pressure Ulcers: Patient Safety; Quality of Care and Policy; Pressure Ulcers and Health Economics; Pressure Ulcers: Implementation Science and Education; Impact of Pressure Ulcers on Patients, Carers and Society; Innovative Approaches in Clinical Research (prevention and treatment); Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management in Specific Patient Groups (eg, pediatrics, surgery, spinal cord injury, ER, older persons, palliative care); Innovations in Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment; Basic Science: Biomechanics and Etiology; and Interdisciplinary Collaboration.

  The early registration deadline is June 15, 2015.

  For more information, visit www.epuap2015.org or contact the EPUAP Business Office (contact person: Adina Markova, office@epuap.org).

Heel Protector Introduced

  EHOB, Inc (Indianapolis, IN) released the TruVue Heel Protector, designed to assist in the prevention and treatment of lower extremity pressure ulcers.

  Constructed with an antishear pad that serves as a barrier to shearing forces on the heel from a bed, the product offers patients a new level of support. The Achilles pillow is positioned under the Achilles tendon to provide heel elevation and to cushion the tendon from pressure locations. Additionally, the product’s removable external wedge and stability rails deliver a stable base necessary to overcome torsional forces and resist leg rotation.

  The heel protector mirrors the natural shape of the leg, securely holding the leg and foot in place while allowing for full range of motion. Its anti-foot-drop straps attach to each side of the boot, rather than the back, to alleviate pressure points around and on the base of the foot. The straps also give caregivers the ability to pull the foot back to a neutral 90˚ orientation. A foot gate that fully opens provides complete visibility to the foot in addition to adjustability in width for a custom fit. The deep, v-cut heel well fully offloads the heel without any product interaction and provides relief from product-to-heel engagement with foot flexion.

  The product is recommended for single-patient use and is available in sizes petite, standard, and extra-large. The extra-large product fully encloses most feet up to men’s size 13.

  For more information, visit www.ehob.com.

Portfolio of Therapeutic Support Surfaces Expanded

  Joerns RecoverCare (Charlotte, NC) launched the newly expanded and upgraded PrevaMatt portfolio of foam therapeutic support surfaces. The PrevaMatt is designed for maximized pressure redistribution and optimal comfort. New developments in foam processing and surface modification have lead to a better quality product that gives providers a range of options to improve outcomes, reduce risks to both the caregiver and patient, and meets financial objectives.

  The new PrevaMatt portfolio features open-cell memory foam technology and surface modification technology. The open-cell memory technology allows for greater airflow, resulting in more breathability and a cooler, drier resident or patient experience. It also allows the foam materials to be less affected by fatigue, producing better height and support retention with a faster recovery time. The surface modification technology includes alterations in pattern, size of pattern, spacing between patterns, and depth of cut to protect high-risk areas.

  The manufacturing of the refreshed portfolio leverages variable pressure foaming (VPF) processing to produce a greener and more sustainable product. The VPF process is a virtually zero-emissions manufacturing process that exceeds Clean Air Act requirements. The mattresses are made from plant-based raw materials, eliminating the use of unnecessary chemicals.

  The portfolio offers a choice of 6 different surface options to meet a wide range of clinical and financial needs: Enmerse, Alleviate, Console, Defend, Ease, and Basic.

  For more information, visit www.joerns.com.

Advanced Skin and Wound Care Product Portfolio Introduced

  McKesson Medical-Surgical (Richmond, VA) launched a comprehensive advanced skin and wound care portfolio with complimentary business and clinical support. The company’s advanced skin and wound care solutions range from the THERA Advanced Skin Care line to an assortment of advanced wound care products, including the addition of silicone adhesive foam dressings. The company also has created educational tools in connection with the portfolio to assist caregivers in the skilled nursing, home health, and other extended care markets with assessing and managing their patients’ skin and wound care needs.

  The company’s business support for its advanced skin and wound care portfolio includes the Wound Care QuickPath to help customers improve quality of care, and the SpendManager℠ to track and report program spending to help achieve greater efficiencies. Its clinical support for the portfolio includes guidance from a dedicated team of experienced clinicians, online education courses for licensed professionals, and customized webinars and tutorials.

  For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.

Acquisition Announced

  Alliqua BioMedical, Inc (Langhorne, PA) signed a definitive agreement to acquire Celleration, Inc (Eden Prairie, MN).

  Celleration is a privately held medical device company focused on developing and commercializing the MIST Therapy therapeutic ultrasound platform for the treatment of acute and chronic wounds. This system is an US Food and Drug Administration 510(k)-cleared device that uses painless, noncontact low-frequency ultrasound to stimulate cells below the wound bed in order to promote the healing process. Since the system was commercialized in 2005, this therapy has been performed more than 1.2 million times on more than 85,000 patients in the US and the United Kingdom.

  Extensive clinical study data has been produced in the past several years showing this therapy positively impacts critical aspects of the wound healing process. Most recently, in a prospective, randomized controlled trial conducted in 22 US outpatient health care facilities (published in the January 2015 issue of Ostomy Wound Management), this therapy demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the healing rate over the standard of care treatment for venous leg ulcers. It is with this body of clinical data the system was given a new reimbursement payment for outpatient services that became effective January 1, 2015.

  For more information visit, www.alliqua.com.

Study Expands Patient Access to New Wound Care Solution

  Nuo Therapeutics, Inc (Gaithersburg, MD) initiated a new clinical study (Au Study) comprised of 3 randomized controlled protocols that examine the efficacy of Aurix, a biodynamic hematogel, for use in diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers.

  The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of complete wound healing in 3 prospective, open-label, randomized studies in which diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers, respectively, will be treated using Aurix and standard care, and compared one-to-one with patients receiving usual and customary care.

  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved these amended protocols under its Coverage with Evidence Development Program to address coverage of items and services that require additional evidence of the clinical and economic impact on Medicare beneficiary health outcomes. Under this program, CMS will reimburse for Aurix when health care providers agree to collect their Medicare patients’ treatment data for inclusion in the study database.

  The Au Study is an evolution of the Aurix Data Collection program that, with implementation of these amended protocols to include diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers, may integrate into current physician practice operations and broaden valuable inclusion criteria, allowing for greater patient access to the Aurix System in centers across the US.

  Patient recruitment for the Au Study is underway.

For more information, visit www.TheAuStudy.com.

This article was not subject to the Ostomy Wound Management peer-review process.