Products
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance of Vacuum Assisted Closure (V.A.C.) Therapy for use with partial-thickness burns. Launched in the United States in 1995 by Kinetic Concepts, Inc (KCI), San Antonio, TX, V.A.C. Therapy is a clinically effective method to treat traumatic and chronic wounds, utilizing a negative pressure healing system. Studies suggest that rapid utilization of V.A.C. Therapy on partial-thickness burns, regardless of etiology, may have the ability to minimize tissue death and optimize the healing process.
For qualifying home care patients, V.A.C. Therapy is covered by Medicare Part B and many managed care organizations for helping to heal wounds such as acute/traumatic wounds, dehisced wounds, flaps and grafts, pressure ulcers, chronic wounds, and diabetic ulcers.
CLOSURE Medical Corporation, Raleigh, NC, has received FDA approval to market its High Viscosity DERMABOND Topical Skin Adhesive. The new and advanced thicker formulation of DERMABOND adhesive provides greater precision and control of application, especially when used on curved areas of the body, such as around the eyes and nose. The product will be distributed by ETHICON Products, a division of ETHICON, Inc, a Johnson & Johnson Company. ETHICON Products also distributes CLOSURE's original DERMABOND product.
CardioTech International, Inc, Woburn, MA, has received FDA approval to market an antibiotic hydrogel wound and burn dressing indicated for venous stasis ulcers, diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, blisters, superficial wounds, abrasions, lacerations, and donor sites. The CardioTech hydrogel dressing is designed to be placed with the hydrogel in direct contact with the wound and to absorb 5 times its own weight of wound exudate by hydrophilic action. With hydration, the hydrogel forms intimate contact with the wound, minimizing dead space. Because the dressing does not adhere to tissue, removal is atraumatic and painless.
Representing a new era of devices that may help reduce the risk of complications associated with surgery, ETHICON Products, a division of ETHICON, Inc, a Johnson & Johnson company, Somerville, NJ, has received FDA clearance to market VICRYL Plus Antibacterial Suture. Designed to reduce bacterial colonization on the suture, VICRYL Plus is the first and only suture designed with an antibacterial agent. The agent is known to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus (MRSA and MRSE), the leading surgical-site bacteria.
HEALTHPOINT, Ltd, Fort Worth, TX, has introduced the first unit dose packaging of its popular prescription ointments, Panafil and Accuzyme, in bar coded 6-gram units to complement the standard 30-gram tubes. Accuzyme is an enzymatic debriding ointment used to treat necrotic wounds, pressure ulcers, and burns by removing dead tissue without harming living tissue. Panafil is a healing, debriding, and deodorizing ointment that promotes healing, controls local inflammation, and reduces wound odors.