KCI Launches V.A.C. Via^™Advanced Mobile Healing Technology

  Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (San Antonio, TX) recently introduced V.A.C. Via^™ Therapy System, a next-generation negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) solution that offers clinicians and patients a mobile healing technology with the proven benefits and outcomes of V.A.C.^®Therapy. The new system’s design and engineering brings a combination of the lightest, most mobile, and most intuitive technology in this space to date. For patients, its portable, discreet, easy-to-operate design enables them to return to home or work as seamlessly as possible. For providers, the for-sale model to the hospital may allow for earlier patient discharge by reducing or eliminating the need for insurance authorizations before discharge. Its single-click functionality also makes training and treatment easier than ever. These benefits create potential cost benefits—a hallmark of the NPWT therapy, which has demonstrated reduced length of stay, fewer readmissions, and reduced need for surgeries. Reducing hospital length of stay can deliver significant cost benefits; the average cost of 1 hospital day at a community hospital can be more than $1800. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the system in March 2010 and it is planned for global launch in the third quarter.

  Visit www.kci1.com for more information.

Hollister Wound Care Introduces Restore^®Foam Dressings With Triact Advanced^™Technology

  Hollister Wound Care (Libertyville, IL) recently launched the new Restore^®Foam Dressings featuring Triact Advanced^™Technology at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care ([SAWC] April 17–19, 2010) in Orlando, Florida. Triact Advanced Technology represents the newest advancement in foam dressings and the latest innovation from the company. The technology is a lipido-colloid formulation that is incorporated onto the dressing surface. The advanced interface differs from current silicone-based dressings in that it contains hydrocolloid (CMC) particles, which gels in the presence of exudate and provides a moist healing interface between the wound and the dressing. The protective gel not only allows virtually pain-free removal of the dressing, but also maintains a moist wound interface for the duration of the indicated wear time.

  The features of the new foam dressings provide the following key benefits:

• The Triact Advanced properties at the wound interface help prevent the dressing from sticking to the wound, while providing gentle micro-adherence to the periwound skin for one-handed application
• Upon contact with exudate, a protective gel forms allowing for virtually pain-free dressing changes
• A super-absorbent foam pad provides vertical wicking and containment of exudate, protecting the periwound skin from maceration
• A semi-permeable backing has high moisture vapor transmission rate, which helps reduce maceration and preserve wound margins.

  Visit www.hollisterwoundcare.com for more information.