New Products and Industry News April

Mobile NPWT system provides comfort and ease of use

     Smith & Nephew Inc’s Advanced Wound Management division (St. Petersburg, Fla) announced the US launch of its US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) product, the RENASYS™ GO. This new mobile device is designed to address the needs of clinicians and their active, mobile patients. With the recently launched RENASYS™ EZ, the company now offers NPWT devices for the continuum of wound care.

     The mobile system was designed to maintain the patient’s dignity at home, on the go, in long-term care, or any environment where the active patient must be compliant with NPWT to promote wound healing. The system is light-weight (<3 lb) and comes with a discrete carrying case and a frosted 300-cc canister that minimizes the visibility of exudate. Multiple alarms and the patient lock-out feature enhance patient safety. An extended 20-hour battery life and <4-hour charging time extend mobility. The user-friendly digital settings reduce the risk of error.

     For more information, visit www.myRENASYS.com.

Diabetic foot ulcer campaign and special focus website launched

     Kinetic Concepts Inc (San Antonio, Tex) unveiled its US campaign to educate clinicians and patients about effective management of diabetic foot wounds with the use of KCI’s proprietary V.A.C.® Therapy System. As part of the campaign, the company recently introduced two new dressings for treating diabetic foot ulcers. Both dressings are designed exclusively for use with the V.A.C. therapy. The V.A.C.® GranuFoam™ Bridge Dressing is expected to simplify application in diabetic foot ulcers where compatible with offloading devices. For shorter bridging applications in foot ulcers where offloading is not required, the company launched its V.A.C.® Simplace™ Dressing.

     In addition to the new dressing applications, the company also debuted a specialty web site for clinicians and patients. The site (www.helphealdfus.com) features clinical evidence and data demonstrating the benefits and positive healing outcomes of V.A.C. Therapy in treating diabetic foot ulcers. The new site also contains information on the impact of diabetic foot wounds in the US and a frequently asked questions section that takes patients through the definition, causes, and treatments of diabetic foot ulcers.

     For more information, visit www.kci1.com.

New antimicrobial foam dressings help fight bacteria

     Covidien (Mansfield, Mass) recently launched the new Kendall™ AMD Antimicrobial Foam Dressings. The polyurethane dressings, impregnated with 0.5% polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), are designed to promote a balanced environment by simultaneously managing moisture and bacteria. The dressings limit cross-contamination, have no known resistance, and are highly effective against common bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci.

     For more information, visit www.kendallamdfoam.com.

Product manufacturer to give away samples at wound care symposium

     Action Bandage manufacturers a final bandage system that holds subbandages and other medical devices such as IVs and PICC lines in place for an extended period of time without the use of adhesives or tapes. Designed to fit a number of different body parts, the bandage system is reusable, offers easy on and off convenience, and eliminates use of tapes and adhesives ensuring patient comfort.

     The newly patent-pending technology, produced from thermoplastic materials, is used to interface with dressings and other subbandages. The bandage system employs an original design that protects and secures wound dressings and allows wounds to breathe while they heal. The company will be giving away $80,000 worth of product to attendees of the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) April 26-29, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. Interested attendees are encouraged to visit Booth #1217.

     For more information, visit www.ActionBandage.com. This article was not subject to the Ostomy Wound Management peer-review process.