New Products and Industry News

New mesh dressing has silver

   3M (St. Paul, Minn) announces the launch of 3M Tegaderm™ Ag Mesh Dressing with Silver, a new wound care product with fast-acting, long-lasting antimicrobial barrier effectiveness against a wide range of microbes, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE*).

   The mesh dressing is a porous, gauze-like material, which may be used as a primary dressing with absorbent wound fillers or packed into tunnels or undermined areas. The dressing is safe, noncytotoxic, and nonirritating. Skin staining is minimal to nonexistent. The dressing is easy to use, conformable and soft, easy to cut, and does not require premoistening for use on draining wounds.

   The dressing provides a 7-day antimicrobial barrier for a variety of wounds, especially those that have stalled or are slow to heal, including: pressure, venous and neuropathic (diabetic) ulcers; surgical wounds; second-degree burns; traumatic wounds, donor sites, and abrasions. It is available in five sizes ranging from 2 in² to 16 in².

   For more information, visit https://www.3M.com/Tegaderm or call (800) 228-3957.

   *Based on in vitro studies.

Transcutaneous monitor helps detect and treat limb ischemia

   Radiometer’s (Westlake, Ohio) TCM400™ transcutaneous monitor is ideal for use in wound care where transcutaneous measurements are an effective diagnostic tool in the detection and treatment of critical limb ischemia.

   Providing continuous monitoring of tcpO₂, the device’s solid-state combined O₂ electrodes simultaneously measure up to six sites for a deeper understanding of the wound. The electrodes used in the device are the only electrodes market-approved for use in a hyperbaric chamber. The instrument also features a calculated regional perfusion index, integrated and automatic calibration, low skin irritation from electrode heat, snap-on membrane cartridges, long membrane lifetime, and small fixation rings. The portable monitor features a USB printer port that enables hard copy printout for reimbursement purposes.

   For more information, visit https://www.radiometer.us/tc or call (800) 736-0600, ext. 333.

Total contact casting kit reduces application time

   MedEfficiency (Westminster, Colo) has revitalized a gold standard with the MedE-Kast™ Kit. The kit provides a systematic approach for casting and includes all of the items required to construct a cast and items designed to reduce application time. The company provides training that ensures proper application technique and reviews indications and contra-indications and standardized protocol for use. The time required to apply the cast varies based on the clinician. Studies indicate it can be applied consistently in 7.5 minutes and the patient can be weight-bearing in 15 minutes.

   The total contact cast (TCC) provides a dynamic approach to complete immobilization, which allows the tissue to heal without being disturbed or traumatized by repetitive injury. The TCC provides a treatment modality that facilitates patient compliance but still allows for ambulation. To address the dynamic nature of the patient’s lower extremity and for wound inspection/debridement, the TCC is changed on a periodic basis.

   For more information, visit https://www.medefficiency.com.

Study finds rhPDGF gel is effective treatment for neuropathic foot ulcers

   Johnson & Johnson Wound Management, (Somerville, NJ) announced the results of a retrospective patient cohort study designed to estimate the effectiveness of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF) in clinical practice. The study showed that diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers treated with rhPDGF were 32% more likely to heal within 20 weeks than those not treated with rhPDGF (802 out of 2,394 versus 5,806 out of 22,504). RhPDGF is marketed as REGRANEX® (becaplermin) Gel 0.01%.

   The study utilized a claims database to evaluate more than 24,000 patients with neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers treated at specialty wound clinics between 1998 and 2004. Patients who had received rhPDGF were more likely to have healed at 20 weeks versus those treated with other methods of ulcer care. These results were similar to the findings of previous randomized controlled trials.

   The gel is indicated for the treatment of lower extremity diabetic neuropathic ulcers that extend into the subcutaneous tissue or beyond and have an adequate blood supply. The gel increases the incidence of complete healing of diabetic ulcers when used as an adjunct to good ulcer care practices that includes initial sharp debridement, pressure relief, and infection control.

   The efficacy of the gel has not been established for treatment of pressure ulcers and venous stasis ulcers and has not been evaluated for the treatment of diabetic neuropathic ulcers that do not extend through the dermis into subcutaneous tissue (Stage I or Stage II, IAET staging classification) or ischemic diabetic ulcers.

   For more information, visit https://www.regranex.com.

Streamlined website provides information at-a-glance

   Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (San Antonio, Tex) announces the re-design of kci1.com, the company's web-based resource center. The changes will improve the overall experience of many physicians, nurses, case managers, and administrators who need one-click, 24-hour access to actionable information.

   The site streamlines the search for information on the company’s extensive wound healing and therapeutic specialty surfaces product lines, programs, and clinical studies/evidence. Content is bundled to minimize confusion and allow for an at-a-glance snapshot of all available information. Graphics and photos promote ease-of-use and improve understanding of the therapeutic offerings.

   Clinical information and abstracts of published clinical information are available to enable informed care decisions. Administrators have immediate access to information to help assess a therapy's economic value. Managed care case managers can connect to a single resource to find product order forms, details on product reimbursement, and tools to help improve outcomes for their patients.

   For more information, visit https://www.kci1.com.