New device closes acute, chronic wounds
[black small square] Wound Care Technologies has introduced the DermaClose RC Continuous External Tissue Expander to gently and quickly help close acute and chronic wounds. The DermaClose RC tension controller applies a continuous, controlled dynamic pulling force that doesn't require additional tightening after initial application. The device is removed once adequate tissue expansion is accomplished; the wound is either sutured closed, or the smaller wound is allowed to heal by secondary intervention.
The tissue expander has produced excellent outcomes for post-op dehiscence, plantar ulcers, amputations, and fasciotomies. Multiple devices can be used for large, linear wounds, and the expander can be configured for linear or radial wounds. Typically used for less than a week, application of DermaClose RC can significantly reduce time to closure for challenging wounds.
Labels warn about "PCA by Proxy" errors
[black small square] Medi-Dose, Inc./EPS, Inc. has introduced a series of free auxiliary label images emphasizing that only the patient is to handle patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) medication. The labels can be printed using the Medi-Dose/EPS software and its Mini-LiquiDose laser and thermal labels. Other warning labels can be created with the software to help promote safety, increase awareness, and reduce the potential for medication errors.
The labels were produced in response to a warning issued by The Joint Commission regarding the administration of PCA medication by someone other than the patient or authorized healthcare professional. Serious adverse events can result when family members, caregivers, or unauthorized clinicians administer the analgesia for the patient "by proxy."
Electrosurgical suction reduces toxin exposure
[black small square] New Leaf Medical, Inc. introduced the E-Vac Electrosurgical Suction Device, a disposable suction device that removes smoke and other toxic by-products emitted in high concentrations into the OR atmosphere. The device slides over most existing electrosurgical pencils, removing contaminants from the surgical source before they're released into the OR environment. The device requires no further training or additional surgical assistance to operate.
The E-Vac Electrosurgical Suction Device can be used with a variety of electrodes without the need for adaptors. The E-Vac Electrosurgical Suction Device is available sterile and is sold in 10 boxes per case.
Absorbable skin stapler offers rapid closure time
[black small square] Incisive Surgical, Inc. introduced the INSORB Absorbable Skin Stapler, a revolutionary new skin closure modality that combines the cosmetic result of absorbable suture with the rapid closure time associated with metal skin staplers-without the need for metal staple removal postoperatively. The INSORB skin stapler provides a sterile, single-patient use device that deploys 25 absorbable staples, sufficient to close an incision up to 18 cm in length and produce a symmetrical, everted closure.
The associated INSORB Absorbable Staple is made of a copolymer of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid, which is absorbed over several months. The INSORB stapler uses one Adson Forceps to quickly close with a single person, allowing fast, cosmetic, convenient two-step procedures that produce low-maintenance wounds and eliminate needlesticks. The stapler also eliminates the percutaneous insult to the epidermis resulting from the use of metal skin staples.