Now 20 Times Stronger,* Advanced Ribbon Dressing Features Hydrofiber(R) Technology
SKILLMAN, N.J., May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- ConvaTec, a world-leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, announced today the launch of AQUACEL(R) Ag Dressing with Strengthening Fiber, a new advanced ribbon dressing, in the U.S. Up to 20 times stronger than the original ribbon dressing, the improved wound dressing also offers reduced shrinkage and is the only absorbent filler dressing to offer the unique gelling benefits of Hydrofiber(R) Technology plus the antimicrobial properties of ionic silver.(1,2)
The added strength of the new AQUACEL(R) Ag ribbon dressing makes it ideal for use in packing a wide variety of cavity wounds, such as post-surgical wounds, excised abscesses, pilonidal cysts, and stage III and stage IV pressure ulcers that have tunneling and undermining. In addition, AQUACEL(R) Ag dressing provides the broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties of ionic silver, which kills a broad range of pathogens in the dressing, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) as demonstrated in vitro.(3) A comparative in vitro testing of existing products showed new AQUACEL(R) Ag ribbon dressing has greater wet tensile strength -- the measure of force necessary to break the dressing when wet -- than major competitors tested.(4)
Dot Weir, RN and Program Director of The Wound Healing Center of Osceola Regional Medical Center, welcomed the launch of the new AQUACEL(R) Ag ribbon dressing in the U.S., "The new dressing provides the continued performance of excellent absorption of the wound exudate we have come to expect from Hydrofiber(R) Technology, with the added bonus of noticeable ease of removal and remarkable strength, providing pain reduction for the patient and confidence for the clinician."
The performance of AQUACEL(R) Ag dressings is driven by Hydrofiber(R) Technology. These dressings gel on contact with wound fluid to provide a moist wound healing environment, help manage exudate, help protect the periwound skin(5) and reduce pain in situ and on removal.(6,7,8) With the inclusion of ionic silver, AQUACEL(R) Ag dressing provides on demand antimicrobial activity, as demonstrated in vitro, responding to increased bacteria with increased silver ion availability.(3,9)** AQUACEL(R) Ag dressing starts killing a broad spectrum of pathogens, including MRSA, within 30 minutes of application(9) and can provide sustained antimicrobial activity for up to 14 days.(9)
*Compared with the original AQUACEL(R) Ag Dressing
**The amount of silver released is controlled by the maximum amount of silver that can enter solution.
AQUACEL(R) and AQUACEL(R) Ag Dressings have been studied in numerous randomized clinical trials across a variety of chronic and acute wounds, including pressure ulcers, leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, partial thickness (second degree) burns and surgical incisions.
Notes to editors
About new AQUACEL(R) Ag Ribbon Dressings...
AQUACEL(R) Ag Dressing with Strengthening Fiber is composed of a nonwoven Hydrofiber(R) web (as per AQUACEL(R) Ag) that is reinforced with lyocell yarn stitch bonded in both vertical and horizontal directions.
In vitro testing demonstrates that new AQUACEL(R) Ag ribbon dressing is 20 times stronger with 25% less shrinkage, compared to the original AQUACEL(R) Ag ribbon dressing.(1)
AQUACEL(R) Ag Dressings with Strengthening Fiber are an ideal partner in the management of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections...
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the estimated number of patients in the U.S. developing invasive MRSA infections in 2005 was 94,360. Approximately 85 percent of those infections were associated with health care delivery and approximately 14 percent of those infections occurred in persons without obvious exposures to health care.(10)
A separate study among patients in the emergency room, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, noted that MRSA infection was found in approximately 61 percent of abscesses.(11)
About ConvaTec
ConvaTec is a leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies that have helped improve the lives of millions of people worldwide. With four key business divisions -- Ostomy Care, Wound Therapeutics, Continence and Critical Care and Infusion Devices -- ConvaTec products support health care professionals from the hospital to the community health setting. From its headquarters in Skillman, New Jersey, the company oversees more than 8,000 employees in over 90 countries serving consumers and their health care professionals on six continents. For more information, please visit www.convatec.com.
References
AQUACEL and Hydrofiber are registered trademarks of ConvaTec Inc.
Our world is what we make of it is a trademark of ConvaTec Inc.
AP-007191-US
CONTACT: Punnie Donohue of ConvaTec, +1-908-904-2151,
punnie.donohue@convatec.com; or Courtney Judd of Weber Shandwick,
+1-212-445-8365, cjudd@webershandwick.com
Web site: http://www.convatec.com/
