KCI
KCI Boosts Research and Development Capabilities with Launch of Advanced Research and Technology Center
Kinetic Concepts, Inc. announced the creation of an Advanced Research and Technology (ART) center that will lead the company's efforts to develop revolutionary new wound healing, regenerative medicine, and therapeutic support system technologies and treatments.
The KCI ART will serve as an innovation center that investigates emerging medical therapies and technologies to fuel product development and commercialisation. It will support the company's mission of restoring patients to healthy lives while helping providers reduce their overall cost of care.
“The history of human achievement shows us that the greatest innovations occur in an environment that promotes collaboration, creativity and intellectual curiosity,” said Cathy Burzik, KCI's president and CEO. “That is KCI's culture, and that is our vision for this center.”
The ART, made up of leading researchers and engineers, will focus on:
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Conducting applied research to develop new clinical applications that leverage KCI's existing portfolio of proprietary technologies
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Combining elements of KCI's current platform technologies to create new therapies that address unmet clinical needs
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Investigating emerging trends and medical technologies that show significant potential to advance the science of wound healing and tissue regeneration
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Developing collaborative relationships with leading universities around the world to identify future technologies of relevance to KCI's mission
Specific priorities include developing more mobile and compact wound healing technologies for home care settings, and identifying new clinical applications for KCI's regenerative medicine business beyond the repair of soft‐tissue defects.
David J. McQuillan, Ph.D., has been appointed senior vice president, Advanced Research and Technology and will lead the center. McQuillan is a 10‐year veteran of KCI and most recently served as the vice president of research and development for the company's LifeCell business unit, where he led the development of innovative regenerative medicine products including the Strattice® Reconstructive Tissue Matrix. He is a leading expert in the fields of biochemistry and tissue regeneration.
MÖLNLYCKE HEALTH CARE
Introduction of Mepilex® Border Ag
Mölnlycke Health Care USA, announced the newest product addition: Mepilex® Border Ag antimicrobial bordered foam dressing with Safetac® technology.
Mepilex® Border Ag represents the next generation of innovative antimicrobial wound dressings offering a comprehensive, all‐in‐one dressing that effectively absorbs and retains exudate and maintains a moist wound environment. Mepilex® Border Ag has powerful silver performance that inactivates wound related pathogens within 30 minutes and sustains antimicrobial effect for up to 7 days.
The Safetac® layer seals the wound edges, which allows exudate to pass into the absorbent core and minimizes the risk of maceration. Mepilex® Border Ag features a multi‐layered absorbent foam pad consisting of a unique compressed foam with silver and a fiber layer for maximum fluid retention. This combination absorbs spreads and retains exudate while allowing the silver to be released. Mepilex® Border Ag is ideal for medium to high exuding wounds that require a moist environment, exudate management, gentle fixation, and antimicrobial action, including leg and foot ulcers pressure ulcers, superficial and partial thickness burns, traumatic wounds, and surgical wounds.
Mepilex® Border Ag may be left in place for up to 7 days, depending on the condition of the wound, which reduces the necessity for frequent primary dressing changes.
For more information about Mölnlycke Health Care and their full line of products, please visit their websites at www.molnlycke.us or www.mhcwoundcare.com.
CONVATEC
CONVATEC RECEIVES UK PRODUCT AWARD FOR FLEXI‐SEAL® FMS
ConvaTec, a world‐leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, has received a prestigious product award for continence and stoma care at the inaugural Nursing Times Product Awards, during the publication's awards ceremony in London, UK.
The Nursing Times presented the Platinum Award to ConvaTec for its Flexi‐Seal® Faecal Management System (FMS) product, a temporary containment device indicated for immobilized, incontinent patients with liquid or semi‐liquid stools. The innovative system was designed to safely and effectively divert faecal matter, protect patients' wounds from faecal contamination, and reduce the risk of both skin breakdown and spread of infection, such as C. difficile.
The Nursing Times Product Awards recognise and reward the products that are transforming patient care and helping healthcare professionals work efficiently. The product ticks all boxes regarding Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) as well as significant potential cost savings.”
The finalists were judged by a prestigious panel of clinical and industry experts to determine the winners in each category. Winners and shortlisted entrants were able to network with fellow industry representatives and celebrate during a reception at London's prestigious Hilton Hotel.
The Nursing Times Product awards are organized by the leading weekly magazine, Nursing Times. For more information on The Nursing Times Product Awards go to www.nursingtimesproductawards.com.
COLOPLAST
New ostomy study: Leakage and skin irritation significantly reduced through evidence‐based nursing
A new global study conducted among 3017 users of ostomy products confirms the correlation between leakage and peri‐stomal skin condition. The study, which is the largest real‐life study within ostomy conducted to date, also shows that leakage and skin irritation can be significantly reduced through evidence‐based nursing – a mix of global ostomy tools based on clinical research combined with the stoma nurse's own experiences.
The Global DialogueStudy was carried out in 18 countries around the world and more than 500 nurses were involved in recruiting patients and monitoring and reporting observations and findings. The consolidated data from all 18 countries were presented this month at a special international event with more than 200 healthcare professionals in attendance.
The 500 nurses involved in the DialogueStudy were all introduced to the use of the Ostomy Skin Tool and Stoma Quality of Life questionnaire, at the beginning of the process.
The study shows that overall leakage was brought down from 90% to 60% through evidence‐based nursing, which means relying on clinical data, on global tools and on stoma care nurse's knowledge and experience to choose the right product and treatment. By reducing the risk of leakage there is a significant improvement in the quality of life for patients.
3M
3M Skin & Wound Care Re‐Launches Cavilon Professional Skin Care Line Offering Complete Caregiver Solutions
Addressing needs of clinicians and caregivers, 3M Skin & Wound Care has re‐launched the 3M™ Cavilon™ Professional Skin Care line, a full range of products to help prevent skin damage from moisture, friction and adhesive trauma. Following extensive research and surveys of caregivers and clinicians, the Cavilon brand has been updated with new, innovative packaging to help easily identify the right product for a specific need.
Widely known for Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film, 3M also plans to introduce new Cavilon products, starting later this year with Cavilon Antifungal Cream. This new product effectively relieves redness, irritation, scaling, itching, discomfort and burning due to athlete's foot, jock itch and ringworm. It also offers barrier properties to protect against moisture, and an easy‐to‐spread formula to soothe affected areas. In 2011, 3M will be adding enhanced product formulations, sizes, and new patient‐friendly delivery systems to the Cavilon line.
The Cavilon line includes a full range of comforting and convenient products such as an extra dry skin cream, hand moisturizer, a no‐rinse skin cleanser, and lotion for incontinence care – all with easy‐to‐read packaging. In addition, the company offers training and product support for caregivers and health professionals.
Prevention of skin damage is a critical issue for patients and health care professionals. In the USA pressure ulcers result in adverse clinical outcomes and according to a recent study of insurance claims data; bed sores cost almost $3.9 billion in 2008. 3M released data at the recent Clinical Symposium on Advances in Skin & Wound Care in Orlando, proving the effectiveness of Cavilon products:
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In a study measuring skin friction – a source of discomfort for patients and a recognized risk factor for pressure ulcer development – Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film dried more quickly and smoothly than a competitive topical product.
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In durability testing of four barrier film products, Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film was more than twice as effective at preventing wash‐off and wear‐off after 72 hours of wear compared to the closest competitor.
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In a bench study of absorption rates for incontinence briefs, Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream had a lower potential for absorption clogging of briefs compared to four competitive products.
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Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream provided superior wash‐off resistance and moisture barrier effectiveness compared to three other Dimethicone‐based skin barrier creams.
In addition to the studies above, 3M has over 30 pieces of clinical evidence supporting the efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film – more evidence than any other moisture barrier or barrier film. In fact, 3M sponsored the largest health economic study for incontinence‐associated dermatitis prevention which proved that the products provide up to 72 hours of protection from incontinence for cost‐effective prevention.