New Products/Industry News

New device designed to minimize discomfort and pain following ostomy surgery

   ConvaTec (Skillman, NJ) recently launched SUR-FIT Natura® Low-Pressure Adaptor, a new postoperative ostomy device. The product offers clinicians and ostomy patients a simple and gentle solution to manage abdominal pain and tenderness that may last days and weeks following surgery, depending on the patient and the surgical procedure performed. Once tenderness subsides, the adaptor may be removed, creating a lower-profile (closer to the body) system composed of the skin barrier and pouch only.

   The new adaptor is a flexible ring that goes between the skin barrier and pouch to create added finger space, allowing the user to attach the pouch without contact with the abdomen — eg, fingers, not the abdomen, absorb the pressure required to snap the pouch to the barrier.

   For more information, visit www.convatec.com.

Novel polymer-based super absorbent dressing launched

   Derma Sciences Inc (Princeton, NJ) launched its newest product, XTRASORB™ Super Absorbent Dressing. The dressing features a polymer-based core that could help change the way clinicians manage heavily exuding wounds.

   Foam dressings designed specifically for highly exuding wounds comprise the single largest category of moist wound dressings. Dressings that hold more fluid reduce the number of time-consuming and costly dressing changes; however, fluid absorbed by foam dressings is at a high risk of being pushed back onto the wound bed, potentially causing serious complications to the wound. The new dressing can absorb approximately 50% more than even the most absorbent foam dressing and because the polymer-based super absorbent core forms a gel, wound fluid is contained within the dressing and away from the wound.

   For more information, visit www.dermasciences.com.

Improved odor control system now available

    ConvaTec (Skillman, NJ) announced the availability of the Flexi-Seal® Fecal Management System (FMS) Advanced Odor Control. The new management system is specifically designed to help manage odor associated with fecal incontinence.

   The new nylon inner odor barrier holds odor molecules within the silicone catheter, while a charcoal filter in the collection bag deodorizes gas as it is released. The original Flexi-Seal® FMS was designed to safely and effectively divert fecal matter, protect wounds from fecal contamination, and reduce the risk of both skin breakdown and spread of infection, such as Clostridium difficile. The new system retains all of these original product benefits and operates exactly like the company’s original fecal management system.

   For more information, visit www.convatec.com.

Compact system added to NPWT systems portfolio

   Talley Group (Romsey Hampshire, UK) will feature its next generation negative pressure wound therapy system at forthcoming exhibits. Company executives have been consulting with clinicians to design a smaller unit that provides the same functionality as the existing system with additional features and benefits.  

  The new compact system weighs less than 1 kg, is smaller in size, and is available with a 300-mL canister. The new unit also uses the same clinically proven Chariker-Jeter dressing technique.

   For more information, visit www.talleygroup.com.

Tissue repair product receives FDA approval

   Kinetic Concepts Inc’s (San Antonio, Tex) LifeCell Tissue Matrix wound care product recently received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. Developed by its LifeCell Corp subsidiary, the company received FDA 510(k) clearance. The product is designed for the management of chronic trauma, surgical, and acute wounds. The product utilizes the company’s Strattice® technology, a sterile reconstructive tissue matrix that supports tissue regeneration, and serves as a scaffold that is revascularized and repopulated with patient cells in order to convert them into functional, living tissue.

   The technology supports overall healing on a range of wounds that include pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, chronic vascular ulcers, surgical wounds, and trauma wounds. The company plans on expanding the use of this technology in conjunction with its vacuum-assisted devices.

   For more information, visit www.kci1.com.

Companies finalize business agreement

   Glycotex, Inc (Rockville, Md) recently finalized an agreement with UK based Advanced Medical Solutions (AMS) to study the use of GLYC-101 with wound dressings manufactured by AMS.

   GLYC-101 is intended to stimulate and modulate the natural cascade of wound healing activities of several cell populations. The product currently under development is a topical gel for application directly on the wound surface. The strategic priorities for GLYC-101 include the healing of burn wounds, surgical wounds, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and wound healing following laser ablation.

   Under the agreement and in the event that this first phase of testing yields favorable results or generates data that suggest further research is warranted, both companies will have an opportunity to extend their collaboration for the purposes of continued research.  

  For more information, visit www.admedsol.com or www.glycotexinc.comwww.glycotexinc.com .