Product News April 2010

KCI Launches the Prevena™ Incision Management System in Europe and Canada

     Kinetic Concepts ([KCI] San Antonio, TX) announced the initial European and Canadian launch of the Prevena™ Incision Management System, the first and only powered negative pressure product designed specifically for the management of surgically closed incisions. Studies have shown that the system may reduce the risk of post-operative complications, such as infection.      The incision management system is now available for use in hospitals throughout Europe and Canada. The company estimates more than three million procedures are performed worldwide annually that could benefit from treatment with the system, which represents a potential global opportunity that exceeds $1 billion.      The incision management system is designed to create an environment that helps promote healing by removing exudate and potentially infectious material; assist in holding the edges of the incision together; stimulate perfusion; reduce edema; and protect the surgical site from external infectious sources. The system represents an important part of the company’s broader negative pressure therapy platform as well as a revolutionary solution for surgical incisions at risk for post-operative complications. The system includes a single dressing worn for the duration of therapy, which acts as a barrier to external infectious sources. Intended for sale and single-patient use only, the system is indicated in the European Union and Canada for use over clean, closed incisions to manage the post-surgical environment and may reduce the likelihood of post-operative complications, such as surgical-site infection, dehiscence, hematoma, and seroma.      Visit www.kci1.com for more information.

3M Launches 3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Lite Compression System

     3M Health Care (St. Paul, MN) recently announced the launch of therapeutically effective 3M™ Coban™ 2 Layer Lite Compression System for patients suffering from venous leg ulcers who are less tolerant of compression. The new compression system is indicated for use on patients who are frail, less mobile, may be new to compression, or where tolerance of compression is unknown. The product may be safely used for patients with mixed arterial and venous ulcers with an ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) of ≥ 0.5. A common concern for clinicians treating patients with venous leg ulcers is the ability of the compression product to stay in place for up to 7 days. The new system minimizes slipping and bunching and is more comfortable for patients, leading to increased compliance and improving the potential for more effective treatment. Engineered with “Intelligent Compression Dynamics,” the company’s proprietary materials cohere to create an inelastic sleeve that consistently provides the correct amount of compression to reduce edema. With its thin profile, patients are also able to wear normal shoes and resume regular daily activities.      An open-label study on patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease showed this system was safe for patients with an ABPI between 0.5–0.8 and was well tolerated. In addition, the system demonstrated beneficial effects on the dermal capillary system after 2 weeks of treatment.      Visit www.3m.com/healthcare for more information.

Bluestar Silicones Unveils Skin Adhesive Silicone Elastomers for Wound Care Applications

     Bluestar Silicones (Anaheim, CA), one of the world’s leading fully integrated global silicone manufacturers, recently launched a new line of skin adhesive elastomer gels. The new Silbione® Silicone Gels provide gentle, non-irritating adhesion for a range of wound and skin care applications. Wound care is a growing market for silicones because of the material’s property profile and biocompatibility. The gel skin adhesives are two-part, platinum-catalyzed silicone gel elastomers that are manufactured in a clean environment to ensure healthcare grade levels of purity and quality.      The materials are mixed and then coated onto a substrate. They are targeted for a variety of wound and skin care uses including wound dressings and bandages, transdermal patches for cosmetic and active delivery, medical and fashion tapes, and scar management. These hydrophobic products enable gentle adhesion to dry skin without adhesion to moist skin, thus preventing secondary trauma to newly formed skin in a healing wound. The gel adhesives also retain adhesion properties upon removal so they can be repositioned for several additional applications. They are gas permeable, which allows the skin to breathe, and are washable and reusable.      Visit www.bluestarsilicones.com for more information.