Negative Pressure System Provides Wound Healing During Daily Activities

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 18 Jun 2013
A portable negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device allows patients to receive wound healing treatment inside of their own home or on the go.

The extriCARE 2400 portable NPWT system comprises the extriCARE 2400 pump, a 110 cc disposable canister, and anatomically fitted proprietary NPWT dressings that are applied to a wound to create a tight seal. The NPWT pump’s pressure creates a negative pressure (or vacuum environment) that draws blood to the wound bed, and removes exudates into the disposable canister, located on the back of the pump.

Image: The extriCARE 2400 portable NPWT system in its carry case (Photo courtesy of Devon Medical).

The system provides an easy to use, user-friendly interface, which allows the staff to quickly set pressure from 40–140 mmHg in either continuous or intermittent mode. The system also has various built-in safety alarms to warn of potential dangers. The small, lightweight system (250 grams) system is provided with a carry case and a rechargeable battery that provides 30 hours of continuous battery life. The extriCARE 2400 portable NPWT system is a product of Devon Medical (King of Prussia, PA, USA), and has received the European Union CE marking of approval.

“The extriCARE system has proven itself in the United States as a powerful device that healthcare professionals can rely on for the management of nonhealing wounds, including diabetic ulcers and chronic, acute, traumatic, subacute, and dehisced wounds,” said John Bennett, MD, founder and CEO of Devon Medical. “We are excited to receive the CE mark as it will allow us to work with healthcare professionals to achieve similar patient compliance and positive outcomes across Europe and other parts of the world.”

NPWT is a therapeutic technique used 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. The use of this technique in wound management increased dramatically over the 1990s and 2000s. Research on the effectiveness of NPWT is generally flawed and methodologically poor quality, but does support the use of the technique for diabetic ulcers.

Related Links:
Devon Medical



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