TWC News Update

AAWC News

  The Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) announced a new clinic/healthcare facility membership category and the 2008 “Wound Care Clinic and Facility” directory.

  AAWC clinic/facility membership is reserved for wound care clinics and other healthcare facilities. One contact person, usually the facility owner/director or an appointed person, maintains control over the membership account and receives benefits and important updates to share with colleagues, patients and caregivers. This category receives all the benefits of an individual member, but also receives a free, highlighted listing in the “Wound Care Clinic and Facility” directory, published annually and provided as a free benefit to AAWC members. Each facility may have an increased possibility of being selected first for referrals and by patients with a special listing that signifies that the facility receives access to the latest education, information, and news.

  To find out more about all of AAWC’s membership types, rates, and benefits; or to learn more about adding a listing to or purchasing the clinic/facility directory, visit www.aawconline.org.

Phase II Clinical Trial for the Use of Nitric Oxide in the Healing of Chronic Wounds

  Nitric Bio Therapeutics, Inc. (Bristol, Pa) launched the beginning of a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of chronic wounds using nitric oxide. An estimated $2.5 million per year is spent treating approximately 4.5 to 5 million Americans in the form of diabetic wounds, venous statis and decubitus ulcers, and chronic wounds. “The use of nitric oxide in the treatment of chronic wounds could accelerate time of healing, increase quality of life for the patient, and help reduce the financial strain on the US healthcare system,” said Dr. Joseph Boykin, director of Wound Healing Centers at both HCA Retreat Hospital and at HCA Chippenham-Johnston Willis Medical Center in Richmond, Va. Both sites are participating in this study.

  When delivered topically to the wound, nitric oxide gas (gNO) reportedly has a number of known activities believed to be beneficial in the healing of wounds, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action, regulation of collagen formation, and an ability to increase blood flow. GNO has already been used to treat chronic wounds in Canada.

  For more information, visit www.nitricbio.com.

New Distribution Strategy for Ultrasonic Wound Debridement System

  Misonix, Inc. (Farmingdale, NY) a developer of minimally invasive ultrasonic medical device technology for the ablation of cancer and other chronic health conditions, announced its agreement with Medline Industries, Inc., (Mundelein, Ill) for the domestic distribution of the SonicOneTM Ultrasonic Wound Debridement System has expired.

  Misonix’s sales for this product will be handled through a proprietary distribution network. Misonix claims the product has been received positively by members of the industry, used by over 50 physicians in more than 2,500 debridement procedures.

   “Few can argue the importance of routine serial debridement as a central tenet of wound healing and amputation prevention,” said David G. Armstrong, professor of surgery and associate dean at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago, Ill. “My team and I have significant clinical experience with the SonicOneTM System, which has proven to be an important adjunct to primary and maintenance debridement in our unit. We use it routinely for treating acute and chronic wounds like diabetic foot and pressure ulcers, arterial and venous ulcers, colonized bacterial wounds, burns, or dehisced ulcers.”

  For more information, visit www.misonix.com.

Hollister Wound Care Awarded Novation Contract

  Hollister Wound Care, LLC (Libertyville, Ill) was awarded a Novation contract under the Novation New Technology Program for its products featuring TRIACT Technology.

  The technology is a scientific formulation comprised of 100% non-occlusive mesh, hydrocolloid particles, and a petrolatum-based formulation, all of which allow for pain free dressing removal that helps reduce trauma to the wound bed and the patient.

  The company plans on featuring the technology in its Restore brand dressings, including the Restore Contact Layer, Restore Contact Layer Silver, Restore Adhesive Foam, Restore Non-Adhesive Foam, and the Restore Non-Adhesive Foam Silver.

  For more information on the company and its products and services, visit www.hollister.com.