Subatmospheric Pressure System Helps Heal Wounds

A negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system utilizes low pressure to promote the healing of difficult wounds safely and effectively.

The Engenex NPWT system is an innovative technology and engineering solution that utilizes the application of negative pressure to a wound to promote healing by creating controlled tissue strain and removing excess fluid, including wound exudate. The system has five major components, which include a wound interface that uses proprietary Bio-Dome standard and Bio-Dome Easy Release dressings; a transparent film that covers the dressing; a tube that connects the NPWT therapy unit to the wound area; a collection canister; and a therapy unit used to deliver intermittent or continuous NPWT. The system uses a negative pressure of 75 mmHg controlled via an easy to use pump with dial controls, audible and visual alarms, and a visual indicator to assure that the system is working.

Bio-Dome dressings, the foundation for enhanced tissue generation via the NPWT system, are designed to allow contact with wound surface and provide a clearly defined void volume, while resisting collapse during the application of the negative pressure. The dressings are designed to provide unobstructed granulation tissue growth and maximize the effects of controlled cellular strain by providing a 5%-20% micro-strain on the tissues. The Engenex NPWT system is a product of ConvaTec (Skillman, NJ, USA).

"We believe that the Engenex NPWT system, with its low pressure profile and unique, nonadherent dressings, may represent an advance in this technology, possibly benefiting wound and patient outcomes,” said Cheryl Nease, PT, of the Memorial Health Center (Savannah, GA, USA), who recently evaluated the system in three patients with complex surgical and traumatic wounds, and published the results in the June 2009 issue of the journal Ostomy Wound Management (OWM).

Related Links:
ConvaTec
Memorial Health Center