New Products and Industry News

Nursing research scholarship awarded

   ConvaTec, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (Princeton, NJ) approved funding for the study, "Assessment of Adults for Pressure Ulcers in the Long-Term Care Setting", for Elizabeth A. Ayello, PhD, RN, CS, CWOCN, as part of the ConvaTec Nursing Research Scholarship program. The award was presented during opening ceremonies of the 15th Annual Symposium on Wound Care (SAWC) in Baltimore, Md., on Sunday, April 27.

   Dr. Ayello is congratulated for her achievement and ConvaTec is applauded for its support of nursing initiatives.

SAWC presenter recognized

   Cathy Thomas Hess, BSN, RN, CWOCN, Wound Care Strategies, Inc. has been named one of the Top 50 Women in Business in Pennsylvania. Cathy was selected from several hundred nominees. The 50 women will be honored at a reception in Hershey, Pa. on May 20. Cathy recently was a presenter at the SAWC, where she addressed the topic of improved clinical and economic outcomes through the use of sacral shape hydrocolloids.

   Ostomy/Wound Management congratulates Cathy for being acknowledged for her efforts in the field of wound care and wishes her continued success.

Agreement awarded for ready-to-use patient care products

   Premier, Inc. (San Diego, Calif.) awarded Medline Industries (Mundelien, Ill.) a 2-year agreement for ReadyBath®, its portfolio of disposable, basin-bathing products. The agreement covers ReadyBath ready-to-use bathing system and new product extensions, ReadyBath Shampoo and Conditioning Cap and ReadyBath Total Perineal Care.

   The bathing system is ready-to-use, pH-balanced, hypoallergenic, and formulated to protect and heal damaged skin.

   With this new agreement, Medline's contracts with Premier include textiles (including disposable pillows and mattresses), patient aids, disposable protective apparel, caps and shoe covers, nonsterile kits, patient plastic utensils, and suction catheters.

   For more information, visit www.medline.com or www.premierinc.com.

Researchers/subjects needed for diabetic foot healing study

   biolitec, Inc. (East Longmeadow, Mass.) is seeking investigators and subjects for a new clinical study to assess the efficacy of laser light at 980 nm wavelength using the biolitec Ceralas D diode laser and a special collimating handpiece to heal all diabetic foot wounds. The company will provide funds to recruit study subjects, assist podiatrists with the study, and procure the Ceralas D laser. Investigator responsibilities include Internal Review Board and Food and Drug Administration approval before subject participation, receipt of subject informed consent, reporting of adverse reactions, accurate record keeping, and conducting the investigation in accordance with the investigational plan and FDA regulations.

   For more information, call (800) 934-2377 or email woundhealstudy@biolitec.com.

Cooperative RandD agreement reached

   Healthpoint, Ltd. (Fort Worth, Tex.), an affiliate of DFB Pharmaceuticals, signed a cooperative research and development agreement with the United States Air Force at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio regarding basic and applied research involving tissue management, dermatology, and infection prevention. DFB has outfitted a laboratory geared toward the study of wound management and healing. Air Force officials say that the laboratory will be one of the first partners with Brooks in the new City-Base concept, a vision that is developing into a bioscience, academic, environmental, and technical center of excellence that will enhance Air Force missions while benefitting the local community. 

Research award applications sought

   The Epidermal and Sensory Research and Investigation Center of CHANEL (CERIES) is calling for applications for its 2002 Award for healthy skin research. This annual initiative is given to honor a researcher in dermatology with a proven track record in the field of fundamental or clinical research into the physiology or biology of healthy skin and to help fund a future project. The subject area of this year's award is the physiology or biology of healthy skin and/or its reaction to environmental factors.

   Application forms, due June 3, 2002, are available upon request. Contact CERIES, 20, rue Victor Noir, 92521 Neuilly sur Seine, CEDEX, France, or visit www.ceries.com.

Underglove for better puncture indication

   Regent Medical (Norcross, Ga.) offers a latex underglove that acts as part of a puncture indication system. The Biogel Indicator™ Underglove can be worn in combination with any of the other latex surgical gloves in the company product line. The moment the outer glove is punctured and fluid passes through the hole, a conspicuous green patch develops at the site to alert the wearer of the breach.

   The underglove is a made of a thin, powder-free latex that allows for tactile sensitivity and ease of use with wet or dry hands. Available in sizes 51/2 to 9, the gloves come in boxes of 50 sterile pair.

  For more information, call (770) 582-2222 or visit www.regentmedical.com.

Senior care market needs addressed

   Topix Pharmaceuticals (Amityville, NY) is pursuing innovative senior care solutions.

   Resurfix™ Skin Protectant Ointment assists in the prevention and treatment of Stage I and Stage II pressure ulcers, excoriations, and inflammation. The product?s hydrophilic base delivers the skin protectant and moisture barrier benefits of petrolatum. The easy-to- apply formula is enriched with vitamin E, green tea extract, and shark liver oil to assist in promoting enhanced wound recovery.

   For more information, call (800) 445-2595.

Latex-free packaging implemented

   BSN-Jobst, Inc. (Charlotte, NC) launched a latex-free packaging design for its line of Coverlet® fabric adhesive dressings. Combining latex-free packaging envelopes with an existing latex-free product portfolio increases the hypoallergenic advantage for the products and eliminates the risk of latex allergy reactions. The portfolio includes 360-degree adhesive coverage around island wound pads to seal off dirt and contamination. The fabric allows bandages to move and conform to body curves while providing mild compression. The product?s adhesive mass provides firm, even adherence, ease of removal, exudate absorbancy many times its weight, and the ability to secure IV lines and cannulae. It is available in 11 shapes and sizes.

   For more information, call (800) 835-4325.