V.A.C. Therapy System Fact Sheet
Overview
KCI’s proprietary V.A.C.® Therapy System has revolutionized the way in which caregivers treat the most serious, complex wounds. V.A.C. Therapy utilizes an open-cell polymer foam dressing that is conformed to the wound bed. When sealed and placed under negative (vacuum) pressure, the system creates a unique wound healing environment that has been shown to promote the wound healing process, reduce edema, prepare the wound bed for closure, promote the formation of granulation tissue and remove infectious materials.
History
In 1996, KCI introduced this innovative approach to the treatment of serious, complex wounds through the use of sub-atmospheric or negative pressure. Known today as “negative pressure wound therapy” (NPWT), KCI’s proprietary Vacuum Assisted Closure®, or V.A.C.® Therapy System has revolutionized the advanced wound care market and remains the most clinically proven alternative for the treatment of complex, hard-to-heal wounds.
Product Portfolio
The InfoV.A.C.® System (on left) is a wound healing therapy system designed for patients in the acute care setting.
The ActiV.A.C.® System (on right) is designed for ambulatory patients and is used primarily in the home care setting.
The ABThera™ (image below) Open Abdomen Negative Pressure Therapy System addresses patient quality of life through an easy-to-use system designed to assist surgeons in the management and treatment of “open abdomen” and to help achieve primary fascial closure.
Research and Development (R&D)
KCI continues to invest in innovation with an ongoing commitment to research and development aimed at improving patient outcomes while reducing the overall cost of care. In 2008, KCI invested more than $76 million in its R&D efforts, which are led by approximately 240 clinical research and development professionals.
Clinical Distinction
V.A.C.® Therapy is recognized as a significant, clinically proven advancement in wound care that promotes active wound healing at the cellular level utilizing three vital V.A.C. Therapy components:
- The proprietary V.A.C.® GranuFoam™ Dressing means the difference between healing and simply draining a wound. GranuFoam Dressings provide increased metabolic activity and evenly distributes vacuum pressure at the wound surface, creating the angiogenesis and cell proliferation necessary for wound healing. Gauze-based negative pressure wound therapy devices only drain the wound. The technology of GranuFoam Dressings also allows the dressing to adapt to the contours of deep or unevenly shaped wounds.
- The technology of SensaT.R.A.C.™ Dressings regulates pressure at the wound site to ensure patients receive the prescribed amount of negative pressure for optimal healing.
- The V.A.C.® Therapy unit utilizes sophisticated software algorithms to provide intermittent and continuous negative pressure to the wound.
V.A.C. Therapy at a Glance
| Patients Served | 3 million worldwide |
| Usage Growth Rate | 486 percent by prescribing physicians |
| Units Manufactured | 42,000 |
| Key Relationships Globally | 21,000 hospitals and skilled nursing facilities 11,000 home health agencies |
| Caregivers Trained (Continuing Education) | Accredited training for caregivers in all care settings. |
| Customer Support | 1,000+ member clinical sales team 24x7x365 Customer and Patient Support Over 690,000 customers self-served in 2008 utilizing KCI Express® |
Clinical Study Support
KCI’s V.A.C. Therapy System enjoys an unprecedented body of clinical evidence that demonstrates clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness, with:
- 22 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
- More than 595 Peer Reviewed Articles
- More than 810 Abstracts
- 70 Medical Text Book Citations
Contact:
For more information, or if you would like to register for the KCI media list, please contact the KCI Corporate Communications Department.
Kinetic Concepts, Inc.
Kevin Belgrade
Office: 210-255-6232; Wireless 210-216-1236
media@kci1.com
This Web page contains information about products which may or may not be available in different countries and if applicable, may or may not have received approval or market clearance by a governmental regulatory body for different indications for use.
Updated: August 11, 2010