New Products and Industry News

New pressure-relief system has convertible option

  BG Industries (Northridge, CA), manufacturer of the Maxi Float® Pressure Reduction Mattress and other pressure-reduction and nonpowered pressure relief support surfaces, introduced the AccuMax™ Quantum™ line of pressure-relief systems. The new AccuMax Quantum products are available in a variety of sizes and offer a new, convertible option for on-demand alternating pressure. The AccuMax Quantum Systems use a patent-pending design of air communication between air cells that allows the system to quickly become a powered alternating pressure mattress, as well as allow for freedom of air movement.

  For more information, contact BG Industries Customer Satisfaction Department at (800) 822-8288.

Innovative surgical glove debuts

  Regent Medical (UK) introduced a new surgical glove that incorporates a simple but effective concept in clinician protection. Biogel Reveal Surgical Gloves provide double protection by using two gloves. Although many surgeons already use two gloves, this system is different because the bottom glove is colored. If the top glove is punctured, the ingress of fluid through the puncture is clearly visible as a dark patch around the puncture site. Trials have shown that the immediate and obvious color change has greatly increased the puncture detection rate and increased protection against perforation five-fold.

  Regent Medical prides itself on its advances in making gloves that are less easy to puncture. The new gloves use a coagulant dipping process to ensure a consistent, uniform film and polymer solution that reduces the probability of punctures or tears when donning the gloves.

  For more information, contact Regent Medical at +44 (0) 1565 625178 or info@regentmedical.com, or visit www.regentmedical.com.

Ostomy deodorant now available in Canada

  Following its successful launch in the United States, Ostofresh™ (Triad Medical, Knoxville, TN) is now offered throughout Canada. The patented, nontoxic liquid ostomy deodorant eliminates odors in patients who have had colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy surgery.

  For additional information or product samples, call (888) 427-6380 or contact the product manager at wgwaibel@ostofresh.com.

Swing away foot support promotes easy transfer

  Skil-Care (Yonkers, NY) introduced a convenient new foot support that swings to the side for safe and easy transfer in and out of a wheelchair. Cushioned side and back panels prevent feet from slipping off the footrests. The foot supports are sold in double unit sets or as single units for patients who require positioning for one foot while using the other to self-propel. Covered in durable, wipe-clean vinyl, the foot supports fit all standard wheelchairs.

  For complete information, contact Skil-Care Corporation at (800) 431-2972 or email asilverman@skil-care.com.

Antiseptic hand prep saves time and skin injury

  An alternative to traditional hand scrub agents is available from 3M (St. Paul, MN): 3M Avagard (chlorhexidine gluconate 1% solution and ethyl alcohol 61% w/w) Surgical and Healthcare Personnel Hand Antiseptic with Moisturizers. Avagard requires no water or brush and is quicker to apply than traditional surgical scrub. In in vitro testing, Avagard antiseptic hand prep rapidly killed a broad spectrum of infectious organisms, with a 99.4% microbial kill in 15 seconds. The antiseptic can suppress microbial growth for up to 6 hours. Emollient-rich Avagard causes less moisture loss and is compatible with latex glove use.

  For more information about 3M Health Care products call (800) 228-3957 or visit www.3M.com/healthcare.

Accurate wound measurement is made easier

  Healthcare providers now have a consistent, accurate way to measure wounds. The new Puritan® Foam Tipped Wound Measuring Device introduced by Hardwood Products Company, LLC (Guilford, ME) represents a significant advance in wound measurement. It also marks the entry into the wound care field for this maker of disposable medical applicators.

  The Puritan Wound Measuring Device is a one-step, one-use device with an easy-to-read measurement scale marked directly on the flexible, unbreakable polypropylene shaft. The tip is soft foam for patient comfort, and leaves no fibrous residue. Ideal for measuring pressure ulcers, the device is effective for podiatry, pulmonology, dental, enterostomal therapy, surgery and ER uses, and is also available sterile.

Aquacel(R) reimbursement announced
  Effective immediately, Aquacel® Hydrofiber® (ConvaTec, Princeton, NJ) wound dressing is being reimbursed by Medicare Part B under the Calcium Alginate dressing category. Until now, the product had been reimbursed under the Specialty Absorptive dressing category. This change makes the allowable for the product substantially higher. Please contact your ConvaTec representative at (800) 422-8811 with any questions.

Dermagraft(R) pre-approved for diabetic foot ulcers
  Advanced Tissue Sciences, Inc. (La Jolla, Calf.) and Smith and Nephew (Largo, FL) received notification from the United States Food and Drug Administration that the agency has given the Premarket Approval Application for Dermagraft® for the treatment of chronic foot ulcers in patients with diabetes. This decision makes Advanced Tissue Sciences the first company to gain FDA approval for a tissue-engineered, living dermal substitute that is human-based, mass-produced, and cryopreserved. The product's 6-month shelf life allows for important safety testing to be performed before any product is released, distinguishing it from products that are not cryopreserved.

  Additional information is available through Advanced Tissue Sciences Corporate Communications at (858) 713-7802.

Federal jury finds in favor of Healthpoint
  In a civil suit filed in federal court, the jury unanimously found in favor of Healthpoint®, Ltd. (Fort Worth, TX) against Ethex Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of KV Pharmaceuticals. The suit alleged that Ethex "knowingly or intentionally" engaged in acts of unfair competition and false advertising, acted with "malice" when it engaged in misconduct under state law, and was "guilty of unclean hands" in its marketing of Ethezyme™, an enzymatic debriding ointment. In that campaign, Ethex marketed Ethezyme as a "generic" and as an "alternative" to Accuzyme® and as having the "same ingredients in the same quantities" as Accuzyme, knowing those statements were false. Healthpoint alleged that those false statements led hospitals, pharmacies, and other institutions to substitute Ethezyme for Accuzyme. The jury assessed a total of $16.47 million in damages against Ethex, sending a strong message about the need for fair and honest competition.

Exclusive distribution rights are announced
  CAMP Healthcare (Atlanta, Ga.) announced that through its new partnership with Bauerfeind USA, it will become the exclusive distributor of the SPA Compression Hosiery line. CAMP manufactures and distributes a full range of post-mastectomy prosthesis and bras, orthopedic supports and orthotics, and pressure care products. For more information on the SPA Hosiery Collection, call CAMP Healthcare at (800) 492-1088.

International Hyperbaric Medical Association incorporated with not-for-profit organization
  The International Hyperbaric Medical Association (IHMA) was incorporated in August of this year as a 501C3 not-for profit organization dedicated to the scientific and ethical advancement of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (with special interest in, but not necessarily limited to neurological applications).

  This association was created to help expand the field of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in both hospitals and freestanding centers. The IHMA is currently working with the FDA, NIH, Medicare, and Medicaid to expand the accepted list of indications for HBOT with the supporting scientific data. Existing hyperbaric research will be validated using the Gottlieb grading scale.

  Appropriate treatment protocols, a treatment registry, and eventually facility accreditation will be available through the IHMA.

  The IHMA is already supported by two chamber manufacturers, several hospitals, two dozen freestanding centers, and numerous medical professionals that realize the tremendous advantage of being a part of such a collective association. Hospitals and freestanding centers alike are uniting together to bring the acceptance of HBOT to where it belongs.

  For more news on HBOT, contact the Hyperbaric Medicine Today Journal at: www.hbomedtoday.com.