New Products and Industry News February

Lightweight postsurgical bra makes dressing changes easier

     Dale Medical Products (Plainville, Mass) introduced a new postsurgical bra that features a lightweight and breathable fabric and a Velcro®–type front closure. The closure makes dressing changes easier. The Dale® Post-Surgical Bra is suitable for use following most breast surgeries to hold dressings; the front closure simplifies radiology and oncology treatments. The fabric stretches equally in all directions. The bra is also latex-free and can be worn as a leisure or sleep bra after a mastectomy, lumpectomy, and related procedures. The proprietary new fabric is designed to let the surgical site breathe, while providing adequate support.

     For more information, visit www.dalemed.com.

New microchip stops bleeding associated with surgical procedures

     Synovis Life Technologies Inc (St. Paul, Minn), a biomaterial and surgical products company, recently announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Synovis Micro Companies Alliance Inc (Synovis MCA) has received exclusive worldwide distribution rights to sell the GEM™ SuperFine™ MicroClip™. The new product is the smallest clip on the market that is specially designed to stop bleeding during surgical procedures. Microsurgeons will use the clip in various specialties, such as plastic and reconstructive, head and neck, orthopedic and hand surgeries, in procedures ranging from breast reconstruction to tissue grafts following cancer surgery and the reattachments or repair of fingers and limbs.

     The clip keeps pace with changing needs in the microsurgical market and furthers Synovis MCA’s goal of serving as “The Microsurgeon’s Most Trusted Resource™.”

     The clip is made of pure, annealed titanium for a malleable consistency that allows for zero memory, which prevents the tip from opening after application. The clip is biologically inert and the non-ferrous titanium is safe for use with MRI or related scanning equipment. The chevron shape of the clip provides progressive and encompassing tip-to-tip closure for secure vessel occlusions. The diamond shape grooving and interlocking atraumatic teeth on the clip’s inner surface ensure a firm multidirection non-crushing grip. Additionally, the ergonomically designed cartridge includes an adhesive backing for precise and effortless clip loading.

     For more information, visit www.synovislife.com.

New skin care product promotes foot health

     Cardium Therapeutics (San Diego, Calif) plans to launch a new premium advanced skin care product line to promote foot health and comfort for podiatry patients. The company’s new MedPodium™ product line is an over-the-counter product portfolio for patients with the potential for foot disorders and ailments. MedPodium represents a new line of foot care products to broaden and complement the company’s Excellagen topical gel product candidate platform, currently subject to a pending FDA 510(k) application submission for US marketing clearance for the management of wounds including partial- and full-thickness wounds, pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, surgical wounds, and certain other wounds. The patient care podiatric product line, which will initially carry six products, has been designed to promote foot health and comfort and support preventative care, self examination, and early detection of foot ulcers, especially for diabetic patients with lower extremity neuropathy. The product line has been formulated to include blended natural and botanical ingredients and will have no artificial colors or fragrances. The various products contain exfoliants to promote the release of dead skin cells and stimulate the production of new skin cells, natural vitamin antioxidants, certain natural medicinals to aid in circulation as well as other nutrient-rich ingredients to promote soft and supple skin. Daily use of the natural crèmes and gels are intended to assist self-examination and early detection of foot ulcers, which can potentially become a serious and chronic medical problem that can contribute to increased morbidity and mortality without proper care and early treatment, particularly for patients with diabetes.

     For more information, visit www.cardiumthx.com.

Footwear aids and relieves pain associated with diabetic foot ulcers

     MV Hospital for Diabetes and Diabetes Research Centre (Chennai, India) recently launched Diastep™, new specialty footwear for patients suffering with diabetic foot ulcers. The footwear has a pressure ulcer specific sole with extra depth for effective pressure distribution, a special tread for better grip and traction, a specially designed insole bed and foam layer for additional comfort, and a rigid counter to ensure limited joint mobility. The upper interior has leather lining for comfort and adjustable Velcro® fasteners to assist with fluctuations in foot volume. The specially derived angled slant offloads pressure from plantar surface of the feet. These features, in addition to a considerable amount of research and testing conducted on patients at MV Hospital, make the footwear an essential item for people with diabetes. With consistent wear, foot ulcers and foot infection can be prevented.

     For more information, visit https://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Photo/2134/3/%27Diastep %27%20to%20check%20diabetes.html.

Platinum sponsorship and recognition for exceptional service announced

     ConvaTec (Skillman, NJ) announced its platinum sponsorship for the 4th Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS), which will take place in Yokohama, Japan, September 2–7, 2012. The company is proud to continue their long-standing support of WUWHS as a 2012 platinum sponsor and partner to clinicians engaged in acute and chronic wound care all over the world who share their mission of making an invaluable difference in people’s lives. ConvaTec is particularly enthused about the opportunities to advance care in Japan, one of the most dynamic markets in their fast-growing Asia Pacific region. ConvaTec was also recently recognized by Owens & Minor Inc, a leading distributor of medical and surgical products to the acute-care market and a supply chain management company as Owens & Minor’s Summit Supplier of the Year for 2009. ConvaTec was chosen from among Owen & Minor’s 1,600 supplier partners for its exceptional service and support in addition to its commitment to partnering with Owens & Minor to serve the healthcare market. Each year at its National Sales Conference, Owens & Minor recognizes exceptional supplier partners for their service to healthcare market and to Owens & Minor.

     For more information, visit www.convatec.com.

Business acquisition expands regenerative medicine portfolio

     Healthpoint (Fort Worth, Tex) recently announced its acquisition of two cell-based technologies from Intercytex Limited (Woburn, Mass) along with corresponding intellectual property (including patents), validated fibroblast and keratinocyte cell banks, and related production and testing equipment. The therapeutic candidates acquired include Cyzact™, human dermal fibroblasts delivered by means of a fibrin sheet and produced utilizing a streamlined manufacturing process as compared to similar products; and ICX-SKN, a combination of fibroblasts and fibrin matrix that are remodeled to produce a collagen matrix that allows the engineered tissue to remain intact within a hostile wound environment.

     The validated cell banks and equipment will be transferred to Healthpoint’s cell-based manufacturing facility in Lausanne, Switzerland, which is authorized by Swissmedic (the Swiss Regulatory Agency) for the production of both allogeneic cell therapies and autologous tissue products. The acquired technologies will join two other cell-based therapies in the Healthpoint portfolio: Keragraf™, one of the first human stem cell-derived products developed for wound care (an autologous epidermal equivalent), and the biologic treatment, HP802-247 (a cell therapy spray suspension) that entered into Phase 2b evaluation in the US last year.

     For more information, visit www.healthpoint.com.

Wound care companies donate to Haitian relief efforts

     Abbott Laboratories (Chicago, Il) and Kinetic Concepts Inc ([KCI] San Antonio, Tex) are together donating $4.5 million in grant funding and supplies to humanitarian agencies struggling to help Haiti recover from the devastating earthquake that struck on January 12, 2010. Abbott said its initial shipment of pharmaceutical and nutritional products is already in use in Haiti where thousands are sleeping in the streets with little or no medical care amid shortages of food and water. Abbott will donate a total of $2.5 million in cash, pharmaceuticals, and nutritional products. KCI will contribute more than $2 million worth of advanced wound care products to the Haiti relief effort collaborating with the Surgical Implant Generation (SIGN) and Project Medishare to distribute the products. KCI is also developing a program to match donations made by its employees to the relief effort.

     For more information, visit www.kci1.com.

     Wound Management Technologies Inc (Fort Worth, Tex) is nearing the completion of its registration of CellerateRX® in Mexico and has identified its first distributor in that country. Numerous physicians in the nation have already evaluated the Activated Collagen wound care product and were impressed with its speed and efficacy in the management of diabetic ulcers. The physicians are optimistic it will play a tremendous role in the management of these types of wounds. CellerateRX is FDA cleared for the treatment of acute and chronic wounds that include but are not limited to: diabetic ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, traumatic wounds, superficial wounds, and pressure ulcers. The product is available as a powder (95% collagen) and a gel (65% collagen) and does not contain any additives or synthetics. Demand for the product continues to grow in the Middle East as new orders are received. The product is also poised for distribution in South East Asia and South America upon completion of the necessary registrations.

     For more information, visit www.woundmanagementtechnologies.com.

Medical supply donations assist Haiti relief efforts

     ConvaTec (Skillman, NJ) has made an initial donation of more than $400,000 in medical supplies to rescue and relief efforts in Haiti following the recent earthquake. Working through the ConvaTec manufacturing facility in Haina, Dominican Republic, which was unaffected by the quake, the donation consisted of advanced wound dressings and skin care products stocked at the facility. In coordination with the Dominican Red Cross and other Red Cross societies, donated medical supplies were recently shipped to Haiti. Future donation efforts from the ConvaTec network are in development with other third party organizations currently distributing needed medical supplies in Haiti. In the days and weeks to come, the company will continue to pursue other channels through which it will provide aid and distribute additional resources to Haiti, ensuring that necessary medical supplies reach those in need as quickly as possible.

     For more information, visit www.convatec.com.

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