Disposable Negative Pressure System Expands Patient Access

A new single-use, off-the-shelf, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system tightly seals wounds and removes edema.

The PICO NPWT is indicated for chronic, acute, and traumatic wounds, subacute and dehisced wounds, partial-thickness burns, ulcers (such as diabetic or pressure), flaps and grafts, and closed surgical incisions. It is available for use both in a hospital and homecare setting, and expands the use of NPWT from the traditional wound care population to include a wider range of patients, including those undergoing orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, and general surgical procedures. The system is as easy to apply as a conventional wound dressing, reducing the need for staff time, intensive training, and administrative paperwork associated with traditional NPWT.


For the patient, the PICO system’s one-button pump is easy-to-use and provides a discreet, unobtrusive way to carry on daily life with NPWT. The disposable device works with a revolutionary dressing technology that manages fluids, eliminating the need for bulky canisters. The system can be worn on a wound up to a week, depending on the level of exudates. A gentle silicone wound contact layer helps minimize pain at a dressing change. The PICO NPWT is a product of Smith & Nephew (London, United Kingdom), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), following previous approvals in Europe, Canada, and Australia.

“PICO is novel and beneficial in several regards; the seven day duration should allow us to more rapidly transition care for patients with post-operative wounds and skin grafts to the outpatient setting,” said Raymond Dunn, MD, chairman of plastic surgery at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst, USA). “With the simple pump, on-off design and absence of any canister or reservoir for fluid, patients can manage their NPWT at home much more easily, without additional nursing visits. This saves the healthcare system money and improves patients’ quality of life.”

NPWT is a therapeutic technique using a vacuum dressing to promote healing in acute or chronic wounds and enhance healing of first- and second-degree burns. The therapy involves the controlled application of subatmospheric pressure to the local wound environment, using a sealed wound dressing connected to a vacuum pump.

Related Links:
Smith & Nephew
University of Massachusetts