Disclosure: This study was funded by a grant from URGO Laboratories, France. Dr. Meaume and Dr. Lazareth have served as paid speakers for URGO Laboratories. Dr. Sauvadet and Dr. Bohbot are employees of URGO Laboratories.

Dear Readers, Have you tried the new “whatumacallit” that debrides wounds, removes all the bacteria, restores the circulation, and heals the wound in 2 weeks just by passing the instrument over the wound? It is the coolest, most fantastic device I have ever seen! You have got to get one of those! And besides, it is FDA approved.

How often in wound care have we heard similar words? The new device, the new product, the new cream or ointment—each is the newest, best, and the “must have” product if we are going to provide “state of the a

Pulsatile lavage is a high-pressure wound irrigation system commonly used in operating rooms and wound care facilities. The system consists of a battery-powered device which delivers a pressurized sterile crystalloid solution to the wound bed at usually no greater than 15 psi. The device administers a fluid stream to the wound surface and has a built-in suction tube that concurrently removes the fluid as it is dispensed. A small circular shield is attached to the nozzle of the device, which serves to decrease gross splash when placed in contact with the wound bed.

The increasing population of elderly people with high medical treatment costs throughout Japan is leading to an escalating financial burden.¹ Pressure ulcers (PUs) are one of the most striking conditions affecting medical costs and quality of life among patients, specifically bed-ridden patients.² In October 2002 a new governmental regulation system related to management of pressure ulcers was introduced in Japan. The Japan Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare implemented this regulation in all hospitals covered by the National Medical Insurance system.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Sells ConvaTec Business Unit

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (New York, NY) has signed an agreement to sell its ConvaTec (Princeton, NJ) business unit to Nordic Capital Fund VII (Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Helsinki) and Avista Capital Partners (New York, NY and Houston, Tex) for $4.1 billion.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and delivery of the company’s audited 2007 financial statements. The closing is anticipated to take place the third quarter of 2008.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy often causes a loss of protective sensation (LOPS) that can lead to an increased risk for falls, foot wounds, or amputation.1-7 Loss of protective sensation is defined as insensitivity at two or more sites on the foot as measured by the 5.07 log, or 10-g, Semmes Weinstein monofilament (SWM).3,4,8