Category: Articles

The Medscape Physician Compensation Report is the most comprehensive and widely used physician salary survey in the United States. This year’s report represents almost 20,000 physicians in more than 30 specialties who responded to Medscape’s salary survey, providing their salary information, number of hours worked, amount of time spent seeing patients, what they find most rewarding and challenging about their jobs, and more … read more

Wound healing is a complex process that is highly dependent on many skin cell types interacting in a defined order. With chronic wounds, this process is disrupted, and healing does not normally progress. Although there are different types of chronic wounds, those occurring from injury, such as skin tears or pressure injuries, are some of the most common. These injuries are a result of repeated mechanical irritation. Moisture-associated skin damage is another condition that can contribute to chronicity.1 Understanding the causes and contributors to these injuries can help to minimize patients’ risk of developing them. It can also aid in the formation of an optimal treatment plan for when injuries do occur, which reduces the healing time and leads to better patient outcomes … read more

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,1 more than 17,000 lawsuits related to pressure ulcers are filed annually in the United States, second only to wrongful death lawsuits. One of the greatest gifts to defense attorneys was when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published F-Tag 314, finally acknowledging that some ulcers can occur despite best care. The facility essentially can maintain, “Hey, we did everything we were supposed to, and despite that, the patient developed that pressure ulcer”—that is, the ulcer was unavoidable. To prove unavoidability, proper documentation (proof) of best care needs to be in place, as well as documentation that all proper prevention and treatment measures were implemented … read more

The revolutionary bioengineered healing glove created by researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) and the University of Washington has completed another key step on the road toward commercialization … Empowered by a $227,000 award from the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC), the REHEAL Glove team at UTARI and REHEAL LLC has successfully developed a manufacturing process for the technology. The MTEC agreement, awarded in October 2017, funded the development of this low volume manufacturing process, which has created 100 flexible polymeric gloves for early stage clinical trials … read more

Improper management at the Department of Veterans Affairs office in Indianapolis led to one man having a below-the-knee amputation, federal officials said … The U.S. Office of Special Counsel said that management at the office directed social workers to stop entering home health care consults into a computerized patient record system …The decision was coupled without properly implementing a change. The visits weren’t properly logged … “As a direct result, one veteran had to have his leg amputated after he was not provided timely wound care,” the Office of Special Counsel stated in a press release … read more

Wound healing is a complex process that is highly dependent on many skin cell types interacting in a defined order. With chronic wounds, this process is disrupted, and healing does not normally progress. Although there are different types of chronic wounds, those occurring from injury, such as skin tears or pressure injuries, are some of the most common. These injuries are a result of repeated mechanical irritation. Moisture-associated skin damage is another condition that can contribute to chronicity. Understanding the causes and contributors to these injuries can help to minimize patients’ risk of developing them. It can also aid in the formation of an optimal treatment plan for when injuries do occur, which reduces the healing time and leads to better patient outcomes … read more

     Microcirculation Therapy Clinical Evidence & Sponsoring the 3rd International Microcirculation Conference

he conference focuses on advancing scientific research and medicine in all areas of vascular biology/medicine. Biennially, the ESM-EVBO hosts a four-day conference, where vascular enthusiasts from biology, preclinical and clinical research groups, and opinion leaders gather to share new fundamental scientific insights and current pre-clinical advances. Its network now has over 500 members worldwide, including representation in over 30 countries … read more

     putting the NICE guidance into practice

NICE supports the case for adopting UrgoStart dressings to treat diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers in the NHS, because they are associated with increased wound healing compared with non-interactive dressings. UrgoStart dressings are therefore recommended as an option for people with diabetic foot ulcers or venous leg ulcers after any modifiable factors such as infection have been treated … read more

Diabetic foot ulcers debridement should be part of the standard of care, and repetitive weekly debridement may be beneficial … Written by Kristin Della Volpe … Frequent debridement of chronic wounds is associated with improved healing, according to James Wilcox, RN, lead author of a retrospective study of more than 300,000 wounds. Diabetic foot ulcers accounted for a large percentage of these wounds … “An effective healing strategy for chronic wounds should include an early and accurate diagnosis of wound etiology, as well as the appropriate application of debridement and advanced healing modalities in an effort to achieve optimal outcomes,” said Mr. Wilcox, who is Director of Research and Quality for Medical Affairs at Healogics in Jacksonville, FL, and Immediate Past President of the Baromedical Nurses Association … read more

Here at Digital Trends we have covered a surprising number of fascinating high-tech wound dressings, such as one made of spider silk and a futuristic Star Trek-style patch, which uses cold plasma as part of the healing process. Adding to this growing subgenre of stories is a new smart bandage developed by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Not only is it capable of checking whether a wound is infected, but it can also proactively treat it with medication if it deems this to be the case … read more

The immune system has long been recognized for its importance in eliminating pathogens. Recently, it has become appreciated for additional distinct roles in normal tissue biology, contributing to tissue development and maintenance. Further, it is being revealed as a major force in diseases as diverse as fibrosis, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as cancer. The immune system is exquisitely selective; more than a billion different adaptive immune lymphocytes (T cells and B cells) survey the body. These can individually be sensitized to antigens … Perhaps the best-developed exemplar for an immune response that is neither focused on destruction nor tolerance, but rather on achieving tissue homeostasis, is in wound healing and tissue repair. In early wounds, infiltration of inflammatory neutrophils and monocytes provides wound sterilization. In late wound-healing responses … read more

Printing layers of skin to help treat chronic wounds or burns may be on the horizon, thanks to a newly developed mobile skin bioprinting system … The skin bioprinter at work … Scientists at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) in Winston-Salem, NC, have created a bioprinter that uses a person‘s own skin cells to create layers of new skin and apply them directly to the wound … A new paper, which now in the journal Scientific Reports, details the development of this new technology … The procedure involves harvesting major skin cells called dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes from a biopsy of a person‘s normal skin tissue … read more

     in Europe for Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa

The topical gene therapy candidate KB103 to treat dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) has been granted PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) … KB103 is a gene therapy candidate developed by Krystal Biotech to deliver a functional COL7A1 gene directly to skin cells using a modified and safe herpes simplex virus. Mutations in the COL7A1 gene are the underlying cause of DEB and lead to a defective production of COL7 protein, causing layers of the skin to separate and form blisters … read more

     Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Approximately 150 patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers will be enrolled into the trial at fifteen Wound Care Centers and Hospitals across the United States of America. Patients will be selected to receive standard wound care or standard wound care plus Natrox Oxygen Wound Therapy for their wounds. Patients will be monitored for 12 weeks. The primary comparator between the groups will be complete wound healing at 12 weeks, but other parameters will be assessed, such as pain, wound size reduction and infection status … read more

Adults with diabetes and severe vitamin D deficiency are three times more likely to develop a diabetic foot ulcer than similar patients with sufficient vitamin D levels, according to findings from a meta-analysis published in Nutrition & Diabetes … “Vitamin D has been suggested to play an important role in many chronic diseases, such as diabetes,” Yimin Chai, MD, PhD, professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, and colleagues wrote. “Low serum vitamin D levels are associated with insulin resistance, impaired beta-cell function and the development of [diabetes]. There is also ongoing interest in the association between lower level of vitamin D and diabetic complications.” … read more

The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) announced today the launch of a spring campaign featuring Today’s Podiatrist, in conjunction with April’s National Foot Health Awareness Month. The campaign will educate the public about the wide range of capabilities of Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs), with a particular emphasis on their surgical expertise .. Today’s Podiatrist is a foot and ankle expert, specially trained to treat and evaluate patients based on individual needs. Whether that evaluation necessitates surgical intervention or conservative care, Today’s Podiatrist will provide the appropriate treatment … “There is no foot and ankle injury beyond the capabilities of Today’s Podiatrist,” said APMA President David G. Edwards, DPM. “We keep patients on their feet by recommending and executing the right treatment for that specific condition and individual. From performing complex ankle reconstructions to caring for diabetic foot ulcers, we are at the forefront of foot and ankle medicine and surgery … “No matter the severity of your condition, when you have a foot or ankle issue you should turn to Today’s Podiatrist. In some cases, surgery may be the most appropriate treatment to alleviate discomfort or restore the function of your foot. Individual factors determine the length and kind of rehabilitation required to ensure a successful recovery … read more

     from P. aeruginosa, Study Shows

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most common bacteria found in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, uses a virus to go unnoticed by the host immune system, a new study shows … Treatment with a vaccine designed to help the immune system detect the virus was found to significantly reduce P. aeruginosa’s ability to infect mice, suggesting it might represent a new way to treat CF patients … The study, “Bacteriophage trigger antiviral immunity and prevent clearance of bacterial infection,” was published in the journal Science … P. aeruginosa, dangerous for CF patients, is also common in diabetic ulcers, bedsores, and burn wounds. At the moment there is no approved vaccine against these bacteria, and they are increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics …The World Health Organization categorized P. aeruginosa as one of the most dangerous pathogens to human health … “I see this every day in my clinical practice,” Paul Bollyky, MD, PhD … read more

     Wounds to be Presented at Diabetic Limb Salvage (DLS) Conference

SALT LAKE CITY, March 27, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — PolarityTE, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTE), a biotechnology company developing and commercializing regenerative tissue products and biomaterials, announced today that two clinical outcomes abstracts on SkinTE™ for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) will be presented at the Diabetic Limb Salvage (DLS) Conference in Washington, DC being held on April 4-6, 2019. SkinTE is a first-of-its-kind autologous, homologous human cellular and tissue-based product designed to regenerate full-thickness, functional skin for the repair, reconstruction and replacement of patient’s own skin … One of the abstracts, which includes data from the pilot study for a randomized controlled trial evaluating SkinTE for DFUs, has been recognized with a Top Abstract Special Designation. The abstracts are being presented by investigators, independent providers and users of the Company’s SkinTE product …Charles M. Zelen, DPM, Foot and Ankle Associates of Southwest Virginia and Director of Professional Education and Research Institute, will present an abstract on the use of SkinTE for treatment of DFUs. This abstract was selected as one of only three abstracts for a Top Abstract Special Designation. The abstract presentation will detail the status of healing of eleven patients treated with SkinTE as part of the pilot study … read more

Receives Contract from Premier Inc., a Leading Healthcare Improvement Company

Cura Surgical has been awarded a contract with Premier Inc., a leading healthcare improvement company. This agreement enables Cura Surgical to provide a comprehensive line of unique silver-plated nylon dressings in both Silverlon® and TheraBond® product ranges … Premier Inc., is a healthcare improvement company utilizing an alliance of approximately 4,000 U.S. hospitals and health systems and approximately 165,000 other providers and organizations … “Silverlon has been included in numerous studies that have clearly demonstrated that silver nylon dressings can offer advantages that help to improve patient care,” said Raul Brizuela, president and CEO of Cura Surgical and Argentum Medical, provider of Silverlon. “We are grateful for this opportunity and look forward to working with Premier member hospitals providing improved patient care, enhanced savings, and creating exceptional value through clinical excellence.” …Silverlon® antimicrobial silver-plated dressings provide 50-100xs more silver than other silver-based antimicrobial dressings, and Silverlon’s efficacy is supported by multiple independent, peer-reviewed and published clinical studies. These studies suggest Silverlon® Dressings can be an important element in wound care and that control of wound bacteria within the dressing may help reduce the risk of infection … read more

It’s gory, sticky and undoubtedly on the nose, but a blend of icing sugar, chicken stock and flexible resin is proving to be the just the right recipe for creating realistic foot ulcers as part of a world-first podiatric training initiative at the University of South Australia … Concocted by UniSA’s Dr Helen Banwell and Dr Ryan Causby the gooey mixture is being added to newly printed 3-dimensional feet and is designed to mimic infected and non-infected diabetic foot wounds …The 3D printed feet are created with wound-like cavities in place. Made from thermoplastic polyurethane (a plastic with many properties, including elasticity, transparency, and resistance to oil, grease … read more

Researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York, have developed skin-inspired electronics to conform to the skin, allowing for long-term, high-performance, real-time wound monitoring in users … “We eventually hope that these sensors and engineering accomplishments can help advance healthcare applications and provide a better quantitative understanding in disease progression, wound care, general health, fitness monitoring and more,” said Matthew Brown, a PhD student at Binghamton University … Biosensors are analytical devices that combine a biological component with a physiochemical detector to observe and analyze a chemical substance and its reaction in the body. Conventional biosensor technology, while a great advancement in the medical field, still has limitations to overcome and improvements to be made to enhance their functionality. Researchers at Binghamton University’s Intimately Bio-Integrated … read more

BioRobotics, Providing Access to its Proprietary Pump Cartridge Technology

BOSTON and REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., March 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — HydroCision, a pioneer in the use of high velocity water jet technology for the minimally invasive treatment of musculoskeletal, spine and wound care conditions, today announced it has provided an exclusive worldwide license of its pump cartridge technology to PROCEPT BioRobotics for use in Urology … The agreement provides PROCEPT BioRobotics with the rights to use HydroCision’s innovative means of pumping high pressure fluids with their AquaBeam^® Robotic System, the world’s first surgical robot providing autonomous tissue removal for the safe and effective treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) … “This global agreement with PROCEPT BioRobotics is another significant and strategic step to bring the value of our differentiated technology into new surgical applications affecting millions of people around the world,” commented recently appointed HydroCision CEO, Alain Tranchemontagne.  “This is yet another important validation of the value of our proprietary technology.” … read more

In my recent WoundSource webinar on management strategies of venous leg ulcers (VLU), I discussed the complex pathophysiology of VLUs and procedural interventions that can help them reach closure … VLUs comprise the majority of lower extremity ulcers. These wounds are costly to treat and have a high rate of recurrence. Sequelae of VLUs include infection or sepsis risk, pain, loss of mobility, and possible amputation. Healing of VLUs requires an understanding of their multifactorial etiology, consideration of patient-specific risk factors, careful assessment, and best practice management for optimal clinical outcomes … The following categories of VLU prevention, management and treatment can help to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about VLU … read more

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a problem worldwide, and prevention is crucial. We hypothesized that the inability of the skin to respond to pressure is involved in DFU pathogenesis and could be an important predictive factor to take into account. We included 29 patients with DFU and 30 patients with type 2 diabetes without DFU. Neuropathy and skin blood flow at rest were assessed in response to acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside, local heating (42°C), and to nonnoxious locally applied pressure. Results were compared with those obtained from 10 healthy age-matched control subjects. Vasodilatation in response to pressure was significantly impaired in both groups with diabetes compared with healthy subjects. The vasodilator capacity to pressure was significantly lower in patients with DFU compared … read more

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified a mechanism that can explain the impaired wound healing in diabetes which can lead to diabetic foot ulcers. The study is published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In diabetic mice, wound healing improved when the identified signalling pathway was blocked … Diabetic foot ulcerations are a common complication of diabetes that constitute a major medical, social and economic issue. The lifetime risk of a person with type 1 or type 2 diabetes developing a foot ulcer is around fifteen percent. The treatment options are currently … read more

A virus that infects a dangerous bacteria helps it thrive in wounds, according to a study by Stanford researchers. But a vaccine against the virus dramatically cuts the bacteria’s infectivity … A common bacterial pathogen called Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces a virus that substantially increases the pathogen’s ability to infect us, according to a study by investigators at the Stanford University School of Medicine … P. aeruginosa weaponizes its resident virus to exploit the immune system’s distinct responses to bacterial versus viral infections … read more

FDA for INVOKANA® (canagliflozin) for the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today the submission of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking a new indication for INVOKANA^® (canagliflozin) to reduce the risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), the doubling of serum creatinine, which is a key predictor of ESKD, and renal or cardiovascular (CV) death in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The submission is based on results from the Phase 3 CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes with Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation) study, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of INVOKANA^® versus placebo in this high-risk patient population when used in addition to standard of care.

Primary investigators will present the CREDENCE data during a late-breaking clinical trials session at the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) World Congress of Nephrology (WCN) Annual Meeting in Melbourne, Australia on April 15 at 8:30 am AEST (April 14 at 6:30 pm EDT in the U.S.). An open access live-stream of the late-breaking presentation can be accessed here (registration is required).

“Today, millions of people living with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease are at high risk of experiencing kidney failure, and unfortunately, we have not seen treatment innovation for these patients in almost 20 years. Janssen’s application is a significant step toward bringing a much-needed, new standard of care for those living with these serious conditions,” said James List, M.D., Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. “We look forward to presenting the CREDENCE data at the ISN World Congress of Nephrology and working closely with the FDA to bring this important medicine as quickly as possible to people living with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.” … read more

Highly regarded as one of the world’s finest limb salvage events, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s DLS conference brings together the most eminent lower limb specialists for an unforgettable meeting. It is a multidisciplinary team approach meeting that provides each member of the healthcare team with the education and resources needed to heal wounds and prevent amputations. It features a prominent international faculty that promotes the importance of a multispecialty approach in limb salvage. The course highlights evidence-based approach with emphasis on take-home points, techniques, and functional outcomes ….  read more

With this initiative EWMA will investigate the barriers and possibilities of advanced therapies  in the next generation wound management … The primary deliverable is a document including an introduction to the available technologies based on cellular therapies, tissue engineering and tissue substitutes, which are all technologies associated with the clinical discipline of regenerative medicine. The document also describes new treatments based on physical therapies and the potential of sensors and software … read more

Integra LifeSciences (NSDQ:IART) today revealed its receipt of a warning letter sent by the FDA last week about quality system issues at a Boston-area plant that makes products to treat chronic wounds … Plainsboro, N.J.-based Integra said the FDA inspected the plant last October and November, resulting in a Form 483 covering the problems found there. The facility makes extracellular bovine matrix products that accounted for less than 4% of Integra’s sales last year, the company said … read more

     and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

This study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of medicinal maggots of Lucilia sericata on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) … The sample comprised 50 adult patients from the clinic of the Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. All participants who had at least 1 DFU present for at least 12 weeks, an arterial brachial index value of more than 0.6, and a hemoglobin A_1c value of less than 8% were included in this study … read more

Managing the growing incidence of diabetes in England is set to be one of the major clinical challenges of the 21^st century. Estimates suggest that the number of people with diabetes is expected to rise to 4.2 million by 2030, affecting almost 9% of the population. More than 64 000 people with diabetes in England and Wales are thought to have foot ulcers at any given time. Around 7000 leg, foot or toe amputations are carried out each year in people with diabetes, with an estimated cost in 2014/15 at around £1 billion … read more

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are rising in prevalence globally, and particularly in the Gulf region. Infection remains a common and serious complication in managing DFUs. A need was identified for local guidelines that considered cultural and religious practices in the Gulf region, as well as clinical issues. This consensus document aims to provide practitioners with guidance on identifying and managing DFUs, which can be directly applied to local practice … download (pdf)

The rise of bacteria that are resistant to multiple drugs highlights the urgency of developing new antibiotics to combat lower extremity infection. Accordingly, this author explores the potential of new pharmacological agents such as tedizolid, oritavancin, dalbavancin and delafloxacin, and discusses other agents in the pipeline … read more

The benefits of having an annual comprehensive diabetic foot exam are too numerous to mention. If a patient sees his or her podiatrist along with one other member of the diabetic foot team, the relative risk reduction of a high level amputation will decrease, with some studies showing a reduction of as much as 80 percent … It’s a simple thing. Just the patient getting into see his or her foot doctor can yield significant benefits down the road. We outlined with the American Diabetes Association many years ago what goes into a good quality diabetic foot exam … read more

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a term used to describe atherosclerotic vessels in the periphery, mostly affecting the lower extremities. The blocked vessels impair blood and oxygen perfusion to the lower limbs and may lead to increased risk of ulceration, wounds and amputations. PAD is also associated with increased risk of coronary and cerebrovascular incidents. More than 50% of people living with PAD may not have any clinical symptoms, posing a challenge to diagnosis and management. This article will discuss the aetiology, presentation, risk factors, and management of PAD as related to the lower extremities … read more

“We are pleased that Anthem is now covering our AmnioBand allograft solutions,” said Kim Rounds, Vice President of Wound Care at MTF Biologics. “As a nonprofit and the nation’s leading tissue bank, we are extremely pleased by Anthem’s decision to include AmnioBand for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Our expanding portfolio, including viable cryopreserved placental membranes, ambient storage placental tissues, and AlloPatch® Pliable (a human derived reticular dermal matrix), provides wound care professionals and their patients with some of the most safe, clinically proven and cost effective treatment options for chronic wounds.”

Read more

The third annual Amputation Prevention Summit will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights, 1635 North Loop West, South Tower, First Floor, Houston, Texas, drawing clinicians from Houston and surrounding region. Memorial Hermann is the only health system in the Houston area that is part of the Amputation Prevention Centers of America® network … This CME event aims to highlight the urgent nature of the diabetes epidemic, the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease and diabetic foot ulcers, and how healthcare professionals can change and improve their practice in order to reduce lower extremity amputations … Diabetes is among the top 10 leading causes of death in Texas and the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation. The risk of leg amputation for people with diabetes is 15 to 40 times greater than for a person without diabetes. Within two to four years of unilateral limb loss, one-third of all patients lose the other leg. Sadly, only about 50 percent of amputees survive within five years following a leg amputation due to ongoing complications of the chronic disease. With the future incidence of diabetes projected to rise to 550 million people worldwide by the year 2030, limb salvage is becoming a viable alternative, often producing better outcomes than amputation … read more

Vomaris Innovations, Inc. reports the U.S. launch and first uses of a revolutionary new post-surgical wound dressing. Procellera^® FlexEFit™ Antibacterial Wound Dressing employs a novel ‘Link & Build’ design that enables it to be ‘built’ during application to seamlessly cover incisions of virtually any length or curvature with just one product configuration. It is an important addition to Vomaris’s line of wound care products powered by V.Dox™ Technology. The only technology of its kind in the world, it employs embedded moisture-activated microcell batteries that wirelessly generate microcurrents designed to mimic the skin’s electrical energy … Procellera FlexEFit was first used by Orthopedic Surgeons Dr. Jimmy Chow and Dr. Brandon Gough, co-founders of the Orthopedic Institute of the West at Abrazo Scottsdale Campus in Phoenix, AZ … read more

Editor’s note. While this pertains to Great Britain and Whales, the concerns are universal.

We’ve got the background problem of foot ulcers and diabetes, which is a major problem and one which has been traditionally, perhaps, neglected by people, health care professionals. But we know it obviously causes tremendous suffering to the people who’ve got a foot ulcer, whether or not they go on to amputation, which is always the major threat … But it also is enormously expensive. And people don’t think of diabetic foot ulcers as being a major health care issue. And yet, care of diabetic foot ulcers we know costs at least a billion pounds each year to the NHS. That’s just about 1% of the total NHS budget, so it is an enormous problem, we know that … read more

Imagine a day when a bioprinter filled with a patient’s own cells can be wheeled right to the bedside to treat large wounds or burns by printing skin, layer by layer, to begin the healing process. That day is not far off … Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) scientists have created such a mobile skin bioprinting system — the first of its kind — that allows bi-layered skin to be printed directly into a wound … read more

Bandages infused with electricity can help heal wounds faster than typical bandages or antibiotics—but for years, researchers have not really understood why … A recent study by a team at The Ohio State University is offering new clues about the science behind those bandages, and researchers say the findings could help lead to better wound treatment … The bandages belong to a class of therapies called electroceuticals, which are devices that use electrical impulses to treat medical issues such as wounds … read more

A 52-year-old black man with type 2 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus presents to hospital suffering from significant weakness and nausea; he says he has had no appetite for the past week, but has not been vomiting. He reports seeing blood in his urine, and that his urinary output has decreased … He looks very ill but shows no signs of distress – he is mentally alert and aware of his surroundings. He does not use over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies, nor does he smoke, drink alcohol, or use any illicit drugs … read more

     for chronic wound care

Average saving of $3,947 per patient, and increased patient quality of life also reported … A study published in PLOS ONE by academics in Australia and the UK, shows that specialist wound management clinics are the most cost-effective route for the care of chronic wounds with better results for patients … The research team includes Dr Rosana Pacella, Head of Research at the University of Chichester, West Sussex, UK as part of an international health economics collaboration including Dr David Brain, and other researchers at the Queensland University of Technology … read more

Imagine a day when a bioprinter filled with a patient’s own cells can be wheeled right to the bedside to treat large wounds or burns by printing skin, layer by layer, to begin the healing process. That day is not far off … Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) scientists have created such a mobile skin bioprinting system — the first of its kind — that allows bi-layered skin to be printed directly into a wound … read more

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), myiasis is infection with a fly larva, usually occurring in tropical and subtropical areas … There are a number of ways to contract it–getting an infection from accidentally ingesting larvae, from having an open wound or sore, or through your nose or ears. People can also be bitten by mosquitoes, ticks, or other flies that harbor larvae. In tropical areas, where the infection is most likely to occur, some flies lay their eggs on drying clothes that are hung outside … read more

     by suppressing inflammation via down-regulating MAPK-JNK signaling pathway in diabetic foot patients

Negative pressure wound therapy displayed significant clinical benefits in the healing of diabetic foot wounds. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of regulation of MAPK-JNK (Mitogen-activated protein kinase- c-Jun N-terminal kinase) signaling pathway by negative pressure wound therapy on these wounds …

Read the full article on Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice

     Standard of Care in Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs)

This prospective, multi-center, randomized, controlled clinical study compares NuShield® plus SOC to SOC alone in subjects with chronic DFUs. NuShield® will be used along with standard of care on diabetic foot ulcers of greater than 6 weeks which have not adequately responded to conventional ulcer therapy … One hundred and twenty five (125) subjects with a chronic DFU ranging in size from 0.5cm2 and 25 cm2 will be randomized 1:1 to either NuShield® and SOC or SOC alone following the 14 day screening period. Following screening and randomization, subjects shall be seen weekly for up to 24 weeks. For subjects that heal prior to week 24, a healing confirmation visit shall occur two weeks later to confirm maintenance of complete wound closure … read more

Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) affects up to half of patients with diabetes and is a major cause of functional impairment and increased mortality. Its clinical manifestations include sensations such as burning, stabbing and tingling and/or loss of sensation, and it increases the risk for injuries and foot ulceration. Oral pharmacological therapy is the standard approach to management. It is effective in some patients, but its use is limited due to unfavourable side-effect profiles, limited response rates and drug interactions. Increasing evidence of the localized, non-systemic treatment approach of topical analgesics aims to overcome these obstacles and provide valuable, efficacious and safe management of PDN. This article reviews the rapidly expanding field of topical analgesia in managing PDN … read more

Acelity subsidiary KCI said today that it launched its Abthera open abdomen negative pressure therapy system in Japan … The San Antonio-based company’s Abthera is a temporary abdominal closure system intended to allow surgeons to manage challenging abdominal wall openings where primary closure is not possible and to manage repeat abdominal entries … KCI said that the system has be validated in clinical studies, showing increased patient survival, improved primary fascial closure rates, shorter intensive care unit stays and improved outcomes … read more

There are many risk factors associated with chronic wound development, with age being an unchangeable one. The good news is, there are also changeable risk factors. Understanding how to prevent and treat a chronic wound is crucial when caring for older adults. To help older adults, caregivers, and the professionals working with them, below are answers to some common questions about chronic wounds and tips for how to educate on risk factors … There is no true definition for a chronic wound, but it is typically a wound that does not progress normally through stages of healing and has not healed within four weeks. There are many different types of chronic wounds, examples include diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure injuries … read more

     among hospitalized patients with diabetes

A member of East Liverpool City Hospital management and a production team from EM-Media are flying to Iceland today to learn more about using cod skin in the treatment of wounds … Kerecis Omega3 is intact fish skin rich in naturally occurring Omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. When grafted onto damaged human tissue, such as a burn or a diabetic wound, the material recruits the body’s own cells and is ultimately converted into living tissue, significantly speeding the time needed to close an open wound, hospital officials said … read more

     in populations at risk of foot ulceration: A cross-sectional study

Researchers performed a secondary analysis of a multi-site cross-sectional study examining foot conditions in a large inpatient population admitted into the hospital for any medical reason on one day, to assess, in those with diabetes or peripheral neuropathy, the prevalence of wearing inadequate outdoor footwear, as well as the related factors. Inadequate outdoor footwear wearing was reported in 47% of 726 inpatients–49% of the 171 in the diabetes subgroup and 43% of 159 in the neuropathy subgroup. Women were identified wearing inadequate footwear more frequently. They identified the necessity for more efforts to enhance the adherence to footwear recommendations in these populations to prevent foot ulceration.

From Medlinx

The calf muscles have been called the body’s “second heart,” improving blood circulation when exercised, usually by walking. Structured exercise training (SET) increases calf muscle pump function, lower limb circulation, and walking capacity for those with limited ambulation due to peripheral arterial disease (PAD)¹ or venous insufficiency.² This resulted in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) decision to reimburse up to thirty-six 30- to 60-minute, properly supervised hospital outpatient or office-based SET sessions over 12 weeks to treat intermittent claudication for patients with PAD. Exercise improves acute wound healing in diabetic mice³ and healthy elderly humans …. read more

     nanotubes complexed with chitosan

Impaired wound healing is commonly associated with many health problems, including diabetes, bedsores and extensive burns. In such cases, healing often takes a long time, which subjects patients to various complications. This study aims to investigate whether single-wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes complexed with chitosan hydrogel can improve wound healing … read more

Local injection of mesenchymal stem cells derived from autologous bone marrow shows promise in healing recalcitrant neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers, a novel study from Egypt shows … Presenting the results at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 2016 Annual Meeting, Ahmed Albehairy, MD, from Mansoura University, Egypt, said: “In patients who received the mesenchymal stem cells, ulcer reduction was found to be significantly higher compared with patients on conventional treatment after both 6 weeks and 12 weeks of follow-up. This is despite the fact that initial ulcer size was larger in the stem-cell–treated group.” … read more

from Vizient for Silverlon Antimicrobial Surgical Dressings

Cura Surgical announced its Silverlon Antimicrobial Surgical Dressings have received a 2018 Innovative Technology designation from Vizient, Inc., the largest member-driven health care performance improvement company in the country. The designation was based on the recommendations of health care experts serving on a member-led council who interacted with the product shown at the Vizient Innovative Technology Exchange held on Oct. 4, 2018. The council determined the technology had the potential to enhance clinical care, patient safety, health care worker safety or improves business operations of health care organizations … Containing more metallic silver than any other silver-based dressing, Silverlon Antimicrobial Surgical Dressings are supported by multiple, peer-reviewed clinical studies demonstrating the effectiveness of Silverlon technology across multiple specialties. When activated by moisture, silver ions are released in the dressing, providing immediate antimicrobial activity and a protective barrier against a broad spectrum of pathogens including MRSA and pseudomonas … read more

     Has Higher Rates of Healing in Pressure Ulcers Than Standard of Care

A recently published multi-center, randomized, controlled trial (RCT) demonstrated higher rates of healing when using OASIS® Wound Matrix with standard of care (SOC) for the treatment of full-thickness Stage III or Stage IV pressure ulcers than when using SOC alone … Pressure ulcers are open wounds caused by pressure. They often occur when an individual remains in one position for an extended period … read more

Corstrata, a provider of digital healthcare IT solutions and services for wound prevention and care management, announced today that it will sponsor the nation’s first Post-Acute Care Wound Nurse Excellence Award. The Post-Acute Care Wound Nurse Excellence Award sponsored by Corstrata is a new annual program designed to recognize and honor the individual contributions of wound care nurses for their knowledge and expertise in providing exceptional patient care using evidence-based best practices to accelerate patient wound healing, improve patient outcomes and instill excellence in his/her overall practice of wound management … Sponsored by CORSTRATA and hosted by the Post-Acute Care Symposium (PACS): Advancing Quality Outcomes Through Wound & Incontinence Education, the Post-Acute Care Wound Nurse Excellence Award is open to all nurses working in post-acute care settings. The first annual award will recognize one individual for his/her direct contribution to overall wound care excellence in a post-acute care setting … read more

Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) affects up to half of patients with diabetes and is a major cause of functional impairment and increased mortality. Its clinical manifestations include sensations such as burning, stabbing and tingling and/or loss of sensation, and it increases the risk for injuries and foot ulceration. Oral pharmacological therapy is the standard approach to management. It is effective in some patients, but its use is limited due to unfavourable side-effect profiles, limited response rates and drug interactions. Increasing evidence of the localized, non-systemic treatment approach of topical analgesics aims to overcome these obstacles and provide valuable, efficacious and safe management of PDN. This article reviews the rapidly expanding field of topical analgesia in managing PDN … read more

Cura Surgical announced that their existing Vizient Contract (number MS11396) has been extended through January 31, 2021. This contract allows a comprehensive line of unique silver-plated nylon dressings in both Silverlon® and TheraBond® product ranges to be available to Vizient members across the nation. Vizient represents a diverse membership base that includes academic medical centers, pediatric facilities, community hospitals, integrated health delivery networks and non-acute health care providers representing more than $100 billion in annual purchasing volume … “We are thrilled to extend enhanced savings on our Silverlon® product line through this contract to Vizient members,” said Raul Brizuela, president and CEO of Cura Surgical and Argentum Medical, provider of Silverlon. “Combating hospital acquired infections, including surgical site infections, remains a top priority to healthcare facilities, and we are proud make a positive impact in this field.” … Silverlon® antimicrobial silver-plated dressings provide 50-100xs more silver than other silver-based antimicrobial dressings, and Silverlon’s efficacy is supported by multiple independent, peer-reviewed and published clinical studies. These studies suggest Silverlon® Dressings can be an important element in wound care and that control of wound bacteria within the dressing may help reduce the risk of infection … read more

medwireNews: A low-cost, smartphone-based infrared (IR) camera works as well as a high-end IR camera for the detection of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), study findings indicate … “An advanced home assessment tool to monitor the foot in people with diabetes is desirable, and for this measurement of foot skin temperature is a promising modality,” Rob van Doremalen (University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands) and co-authors explain … They acquired plantar images of both feet from 32 participants (mean age 67 years, 75% men) with a current (n=28) or recently healed (n=4) DFU using the FLIR-One IR camera (FLIR Systems, Wilsonville, Oregon, USA) attached to a Motorola XT1642 Moto G4 Plus smartphone (Motorola Mobility LLC, Chicago, Illinois, USA) … read more

With the dangerous complications diabetes can cause, including amputation and mortality, could smarter technology reduce the risk for complications?

I really think we are approaching a time when the line is completely blurred between medical devices and consumer electronics. That was really on display with the podcast I did with Davide Vigano, CEO of Sensoria, on NPR’s Tech Nation with Moira Gunn, PhD. We discussed technology and wearables for patients with diabetes … read more

     and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Subjects were randomly selected for the maggot-treated (treatment) or conventional treatment (control) group. Conventional treatments such as antibiotic therapy, debridement, and offloading were done for both groups, but maggot therapy (MT) was added to the protocol of the treatment group. Bacterial burden was monitored and compared for both groups using cultures … read more

     will help wounds healing

Group of researchers at Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania are developing new generation sponge-like wound dressings with hyaluronic acid. Antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory wound dressings stimulate tissue regeneration and can be especially efficient in treating deep wounds that are difficult to heal … According to data, of the total healthcare expenditure in the European Union, wound management makes up 2-4%. A single chronic wound can cost up to 10 thousand EUR to treat, and it is estimated that up to 1.5% of EU population has one or more of such wounds … read more

There are seemingly countless factors that contribute to increased risk for the development of pressure injuries among certain patient populations. For those who require a stay in long-term care, the incidence of pressure injuries can be a concern. Conditions that contribute to increased risk for pressure injury development include (but are not limited to) diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, malignancy, prolonged pressure on an area of the body … read more

Patients with diabetes have at least double the risk for developing hospital-acquired foot ulcers vs. those without diabetes, according to a study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care … In a prospective, multilevel regression analysis, Frances Wensley, PhD, MBBS,formerly of the Royal Free Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London, and colleagues analyzed data from 18,946 patients with 28,642 admissions of at least 2 days to the Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust between October 2008 and September 2010, including 3,076 individuals with diabetes with 5,043 admissions. Patients included in the analysis were aged at least 50 years and developed a hospital-acquired foot ulcer at least 48 hours after hospital admission … read more

Gemco Medical said it has added a new brand of advanced wound-care products … The Gemcore360˚ line was designed to maintain a moist wound environment, address bioburden, reduce pain, minimize friction and increase overall patient comfort, according to the Hudson Ohio-based company. It includes transparent thin films, alginate dressings, silver alginate dressings, hydrocolloid dressings, foam dressings, and PHMB foam dressings … read more

Researchers are studying whether a common antibiotic used to treat everything from acne to urinary tract infections could be converted to a powerful topical treatment for diabetic lower extremity wounds … In a study published in Wounds online, a group of Canadian scientists explained their efforts to develop a stable, topical doxycycline hyclate. DOXY, a type of tetracycline, could be used to inhibit protein synthesis … read more

     of UrgoStart for diabetic and venous ulcers

The UK’s National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published new guidance recommending UrgoStart wound dressings (Urgo Medical) for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers. In a press release, Urgo Medical states that use of the wound dressing could prevent more than 3,000 diabetes-related amputations … The conclusion of the NICE medical technology guidance is that UrgoStart is associated with increased wound healing compared with non-interactive dressings and could result in fewer ulcer-related amputations. The committee recognised that the treatment is also associated with significant cost savings for the UK National Health Service (NHS) and improved quality of life for patients … read more

The funding has been allotted by NASA Nebraska Space Grant, one of the 52 space grant consortiums in the U.S. Copper 3D, the Chilean/USA based 3D printing industry leader, has made it to the headlines for receiving a new grant from NASA. Reportedly, the Copper 3D has been granted the award for testing antibacterial 3D printing material properties, for medical devices used on the International Space Station … Recent reports revealed that the funding has been allotted by NASA Nebraska Space Grant, which is one of the 52 space grant consortiums in the USA. The group is currently highlighting its innovative faculty research projects in 2019, one of which is its collaboration with Copper 3D. This work is focused towards validating new antimicrobial 3D printing materials to develop medical devices and help reduce microbial risks during long-duration spaceflight missions … read more

     formation is associated with the inflammation of pressure ulcers

Evaluating the bacterial bioburden of pressure ulcers through bacterial count and pathogenicity is important but is currently difficult to perform in the clinical setting. In order to address this problem, we proposed two methods: 1) measurement of bacterial count using a quantitative device and 2) detection of biofilm formation by wound blotting. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the bacterial bioburden, assessed by combining these two methods, and the presence of wound inflammation … The participants of this cross-sectional study were patients aged >20years with category II, III, IV, or unstageable pressure ulcers examined during a routine round in an interdisciplinary pressure ulcer team between July 2014 and April 2018. Relevant clinical information, including bacterial count, biofilm formation … read more

Brand of Advanced Wound Care Products

HUDSON, Ohio, Feb. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — GEMCO Medical, a national distributor of medical products, is pleased to announce the addition of the GEMCORE360˚ brand of advanced wound care products. GEMCORE360˚ Advanced Wound Care offers healthcare professionals a simple, clear and cost-effective wound care range while ensuring excellent clinical outcomes for their patients … The product line includes transparent thin films, alginate dressings, silver alginate dressings, hydrocolloid dressings, foam dressings and PHMB foam dressings – all designed to maintain a moist wound environment, address bioburden, reduce pain and increase overall patient comfort … It is estimated that approximately 15 to 25 percent of individuals with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer at some point in their lifetime. GEMCO Medical was a pioneer in the diabetes supply industry over 27 years ago and has continued to evolve bringing on new product categories. The GEMCORE360˚ Advanced Wound Care product line is a logical addition to offer their healthcare professionals, so patients can receive the necessary treatment and find relief … read more

WE NEED YOUR HELP IN ESTABLISHING WOUND CARE AS AN ACGME-APPROVED SPECIALTY!

– Reminder – Comments Due By February 20, 2019! –

Dear Wound Care Providers,
As you are aware, The American College of Wound Healing and Tissue Repair (ACWHTR) was founded almost a decade ago, with the sole purpose of helping to promote wound care towards specialty status. The ACWHTR submitted a proposal to the ACGME seeking formal acceptance and approval of this specialty at the highest level of medical education in the US. The ACWHTR has created a balanced educational fellowship program which, if approved, can be adopted by many academic centers and help drive innovation and improve the lives of many patients over the years.

Here’s How You Can Help
Please see Dr William Ennis’ letter inviting you to participate by reviewing the proposal and providing your feedback and comment to the ACGME. The enclosed PDF provides an explanation of the proposal and a link to the ACGME website to access both the proposal and comment document. The deadline for comment is February 20, 2019, so time is of the essence in getting your input on this important and historic proposal.

We appreciate your time and attention and willingness to participate.

View Proposal

StimLabs, a provider of regenerative technologies and products, has enrolled first patient in its trial designed to assess the safety and efficacy of Revita human placental graft in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) … Revita is said to be the first amniotic placental membrane allograft to capture the complete intact membrane in a shelf-stable format … The multi-center randomized, comparative and controlled trial will assess the efficacy of Revita full thickness placental allograft in improving wound closure rates and mean closure time in DFUs compared against current standards of wound care treatment … StimLabs is carrying out the trial at primary institutions/centers in the US. The trial includes patients who suffer from type 1 or 2 diabetes … read more

     about impact of heart health on wound healing

An alarming 33 percent of Americans currently suffer from cardiovascular disease …Throughout Heart Health Awareness Month, Southeastern Health’s Southeastern Wound Healing Center, a member of the Healogics network, will work to spread awareness about how cardiovascular diseases can affect the wound-healing process. Cardiovascular diseases and other issues with the heart and vessels can cause blockages that obstruct the flow of blood needed for proper wound healing … Chronic wounds affect about 6.7 million people in the United States and, if left untreated, an unhealed wound on the foot or leg can lead to a diminished quality of life and possible amputation. As many as 82 percent of leg amputations are the result of poor circulation of the affected limb … read more

McGuire and Sebag wrote: “Early diagnosis and intervention for diabetic foot wounds is essential for the prevention of complications associated with these ulcers. We are all familiar with the term ‘the golden hour’ with respect to the first 60 minutes after the onset of a stroke or cardiac arrest. The rapid initiation of aggressive care is the key to positive outcomes for the patient. In this way, the diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) also has a golden hour. The 4-week period following the onset of a diabetic ulcer is a critical time for treatments aimed at preventing the development of a chronic wound, staving off infection, and allowing for early closure of the skin. Wounds that have not achieved 50% closure within the first 4 weeks are destined to become difficult-to-heal chronic wounds. A fundamental component of early intervention and resolution of diabetic foot ulcers is the use of an array of offloading devices that includes everything from total contact casting to depth shoes with molded inserts.”¹ However, as they go on to document, there is no consensus among practitioners … read more

Researchers in Michigan have developed a novel nitric oxide sensing device, providing new insight into the causes of diabetic foot ulcers and possible avenues for treatment … Approximately 9 to 26 million diabetic patients around the world develop foot ulcers every year. These ulcers can double the risk of death for diabetic patients and may take up to 120 days to heal. Previous research has suggested that the impaired healing associated with diabetic foot ulcers is caused by unregulated levels of nitric oxide. Measuring live concentrations of this compound has posed a significant challenge due to its highly reactive nature. Previous studies have used nitrite, a stable byproduct, to measure nitric oxide levels indirectly … read more

Wound-care company Applied Tissue Technologies said it has won FDA clearance of its negative-pressure wound therapy product, the Platform Wound Dressing (PWD). The class II device represents the first-of-its-kind embossed negative pressure wound therapy device to be used without foam or gauze, according to the Hingham, Mass. company.

The PWD is a transparent dressing with an integral adhesive base and a permanently embossed, impermeable membrane that combines the traditional functions of the negative-pressure wound therapy membrane and foam/gauze in currently marketed negative-pressure devices. When the negative-pressure pump is switched on, the embossed membrane is pulled into direct contact with all geometries of the wound, eliminating the need for foam or gauze. The space created between the embossments provides primary channels for air and fluid, while folds in the membrane create secondary channels that provide an even distribution of negative pressure across the wound … read more

HMP, a leader in healthcare events and education, today announced that its annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring, taking place in San Antonio, Texas, May 7-11, 2019, and serving as the annual meeting of the Wound Healing Society (WHS), has received endorsements from the following prominent organizations:

• American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management:

“The Wound Management Special Interest Group of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management endorses the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care,” says Melissa Johnson, Chair, Wound Management Special Interest Group. “SAWC promotes interdisciplinary wound management and provides robust continuing education for physical therapists and other healthcare providers enabling optimal care for patients with wounds.”

• Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) Global Society, the only organization solely dedicated to patients and the public health aspect of CLI:

“The Critical Limb Ischemia Global Society is endorsing the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, an important conference that brings together the latest technologies, best practices, and research in all areas of wound care,” says founding board member, Jihad A. Mustapha, MD. “In our efforts to further share information and educate practitioners, we are especially proud to take part in this year’s Spring meeting by organizing a session on CLI awareness, diagnosis, and treatment.”

• National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP), the nation’s leading scientific expert group on pressure injury prevention and treatment, is endorsing and organizing three sessions at the meeting:

“The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel is proud to endorse and support the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, an important medical conference for those of us who rely on the latest technologies to remain up to date on wound care and prevention,” says Dr. Nancy Munoz, DCN, MHA, FAND, Assistant Chief, Nutrition and Food Services, Southern Nevada VA System. “As part of our support and engagement, we are delighted to present three sessions during this conference, sharing expertise and best practices in areas of pressure injury prevention and treatment.”

• American Venous Forum (AVF), which fosters cutting-edge research and clinical innovation and educates healthcare professionals, patients, and policy makers about venous and lymphatic diseases, is endorsing SAWC Spring and coordinating a session at the meeting:

“The American Venous Forum proudly supports the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and its role in furthering education, particularly in the areas of venous and lymphatic disease,” says William Marston, MD, Professor of Surgery University of North Carolina; and Secretary of the Board of Directors of the American Venous Forum. “The cutting-edge topics and emerging therapies presented at this meeting are important as we all continue to strive for improvements in the prevention and treatment of patients with chronic nonhealing wounds.” … read more

     Clinical Trial for Its Nu-3 Antimicrobial In The Bahamas

SARASOTA, Fla., Jan. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Lakewood-Amedex Inc., a leading developer of novel anti-infective pharmaceuticals, announced today it had entered into a collaboration agreement with Nassau based Foot and Ankle International (Bahamas) to conduct two Phase 2 cDFU clinical trial for its topically applied Nu-3 antimicrobial used to eliminate infection and promote wound healing in patients with chronic diabetic foot ulcers (cDFU).   The trial will be under the direction of the prominent Bahamian surgeon, Dr. Daniel Johnson, who is the principal and chief researcher of Foot and Ankle International (Bahamas). He is an acknowledged expert on the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

Nu-3, which belongs to a proprietary class of antimicrobials called Bisphosphocins™, was first used as a solution to treat infected diabetic foot ulcers for seven days in a Phase 1/2 a clinical trial completed late 2017, when it was well-tolerated with no reported adverse events related to treatment. Results showed promising trends with median wound area reduction (change from baseline) of 65.5% in the 2% Nu-3 treatment arm, versus 29.9% in the placebo arm.

Lakewood-Amedex, based in Sarasota, Florida, has developed a proprietary gel formulation of Nu-3, said they intend to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial commencing early 2019 using this compound to treat chronic diabetic foot ulcers (cDFU), with a 28-day treatment period using escalating concentrations of Nu-3.  The company believes this longer treatment with increased Nu-3 concentration will improve the potential to reach a point of healing or partial healing of the patient’s ulcers.  Lake-Amedex also intends to conduct an ‘adaptive arm’ of this clinical trial which will involve treating an increased number of patients with the most effective concentration of the gel formulation to achieve robust clinical data.

Steve Parkinson, President and CEO of Lakewood-Amedex, said the company will seek to recruit up to 120 patients for the entire clinical trial and has identified the Bahamas as not only an up and coming location for medical specialty in DFU in the treatment of diabetic foot wounds and ulcers, but also a potential source of large numbers of patients … read more

More than 15,000 physicians told Medscape how they feel about burnout, depression, and suicidal thoughts, and also how they attain happiness …  read more

After a flesh wound, skin cells march forward to close the gap and repair the injury. Findings from a team led by Leah Vardy at A*STAR’s Skin Research Institute of Singapore now demonstrate how a carefully regulated set of molecular cues helps coordinate this healing migration … Vardy was particularly interested in a trio of organic molecules known as polyamines, which play a role in cellular proliferation. “They are well studied in cancer, but much less is known about how changes in their levels can drive normal … read more

WHITSETT, N.C., Jan. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Medical device manufacturer medi USA announced the launch of its new ready-to-wear circaid® juxtalite® hd. The juxtalite hd is an inelastic compression wrap for the management of venous disease and venous leg ulcers for patients with moderate to severe edema … Designed with patented, juxtaposing band technology and made with a soft but strong fabric, the juxtalite hd applies graduated compression over the entire lower leg. The effortless juxtaposing bands promote patient self-management and improve quality of life, enabling patients to easily adjust their compression wrap throughout the day and expedite the wound healing process. The juxtalite hd comes with a pair of new circaid compressive undersocks, which apply compression to the foot and ankle areas to effectively manage foot and ankle swelling. circaid products are designed with a patented, Built-In-Pressure System™ (BPS™) that enables multiple, measurable, targeted compression ranges in a single product … read more

HMP, a leader in healthcare events and education, today announced twelve new course locations for the 2019 Wound Certification Prep Course (WCPC), the leading comprehensive wound care training program. Based upon the ongoing demand for clinicians to possess increased specialized knowledge in wound management, WCPC will be expanding its course to 12 cities nationwide, including San Francisco, Philadelphia, Nashville, and Chicago. Furthermore, three of the 12 programs will be co-located with HMP’s leading medical conferences: the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring and Fall meetings, the world’s largest wound care educational events; and the Amputation Prevention Symposium (AMP) … read more

Orpyx’s foot sensor technology is installed in foot insoles and monitors foot pressure on diabetic patients and those with foot numbness. The tech will then send alerts to smartphones or smartwatches when a person is at risk for a foot injury, so preventative actions can be taken. The company indicated that 25 percent of people with diabetes develop foot ulcers over their lifetime, with one in five of those people experiencing complications that lead to amputation … read more

Scientists have created a ‘bio-scaffold’ that could speed up the healing of wounds.

In a world first, the researchers designed materials that ‘talk’ to the body’s injured tissue to support its repair through every stage of the healing process.

Known as traction force-activated payloads (TrAPs), the scientists believe the technique will have ‘far-reaching uses’ on everything from broken bones to diabetic foot ulcers.

TrAPs were designed by scientists at Imperial College London in a study led by Dr Ben Almquist from the department of bioengineering.

While collagen sponges are already used on burns and scaffold-like implants help to strengthen broken bones, the researchers felt a material should be created that met the changing needs of damaged tissue as it goes through the healing process … read more

New research, published in the journal Advanced Materials, paves the way for “a new generation of materials that actively work with tissues to drive [wound] healing.” … As more and more surgical procedures are performed in the United States, the number of surgical site infections is also on the rise … Chronic wounds that do not heal — such as those that occur in diabetes — often host a wide range of bacteria in the form of a biofilm … Such biofilm bacteria are often very resilient to treatment, and antimicrobial resistance only increases the possibility that these wounds become infected … read more

     of intralesional epidermal growth factor in patients with diabetic foot ulcers

Authors assessed 36 feet of 34 candidates (mean age 61 ± 13.7 years) to examine the long-term consequences of intralesional epidermal growth factor injections in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. They observed participants’ demographics, Wagner classifications, recurrence and amputation rates, 55.40 ± 12.15 of Foot Function Index, Short Form 36, and 65.92 ± 17.56 of American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Foot and Ankle Module scores at the final follow-up review. They noted a complete response of wound closure in 87.9% of lesions with granulation tissue greater than 75%. The meantime of wound closure was recorded from 25 to 72 days. Toe amputation was performed in only 2 participants due to ischemic necrosis, suggesting a low recurrence and concise amputation rate with complete wound healing …. read more

A retrospective study of 513 cases from a single Centre in the Northern Territory of Australia

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a common problem in longstanding diabetes. However, mortality outcomes in Australian patients with DFU are still unclear … All patients with DFU presenting for the first time to the Multi-Disciplinary Foot Clinic (MDFC) at Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory Australia, between January 2003 and June 2015 were included in this study … read more

     KB103, for Wound Healing

All four patients with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) enrolled in a Phase 2 study testing the safety and efficacy of Krystal Biotech’s topical gene therapy candidate KB103 have received the treatment.

Results are expected to be known by mid-year.

The protein type 7 collagen (Col7) binds the two top layers of the skin, and its deficit results in blisters and wounds. Mutations in the Col7A1 gene encoding Col7 results in either non-working or insufficient levels of Col7, causing the skin blistering observed in DEB patients.

KB103 is a gene therapy candidate designed to deliver functional Col7 directly to the impacted cells with the help of a modified herpes simplex virus (HSV-1;  this modified virus is unable to cause disease).

In the ongoing six-month study (NCT03536143; GEM-1), underway at Stanford University, KB103 or placebo were applied directly to skin wounds (topical administration) of four DEB patients, two adults and two children (age 5 or older) … read more

The healing of wounded skin in diabetes can be sped up by more than 50 percent using injections of stem cells taken from bone marrow, a new study in mice shows.

The research, led by scientists at NYU School of Medicine, focused on a chain of events in diabetes that makes skin sores more likely to form and less likely to heal.

Namely, the body’s failure in diabetes to break down dietary sugar creates molecules called free radicals that can wreak havoc on cells and damage their DNA. These free radicals also trigger an inrush of immune cells and chemicals meant to fight infection that, researchers say, instead kill normal cells and cause diabetic skin ulcers. These wounds, they note, can take twice as long to heal as in healthy mammals and are prone to infection.

Published in the January issue of the journal Diabetes, the study showed that the injected stem cells restore a cell signaling pathway called Nrf2/Keap1, recently shown by the NYU team to be disrupted in diabetes. The rebalancing brought on by stem cell therapy, the researchers say, decreased wound healing time to 21 days in treated diabetic mice compared with 32 days in untreated diabetic mice. By contrast, normal mouse skin wounds usually heal in 14 days.

“Our study shows that in mice, stem-cell-based therapies can stimulate the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway to counteract … read more

Using electricity to treat skin wounds may sound unconventional, but scientists in China and the US have developed a self-powered bandage that accelerated wound healing in rats. The findings are published in the journal ACS Nano. Skin has a remarkable ability to heal itself, but in some people, such as those suffering from diabetes, wounds heal very slowly or not at all. Such patients are thus at risk of chronic pain, infection and scarring. Doctors have explored various approaches to help chronic wounds heal, including bandaging, dressing, exposure to oxygen and growth-factor therapy, but these methods often show limited effectiveness. Meanwhile, as early as the 1960s, researchers have observed that electrical stimulation could help skin wounds heal. However, the equipment for generating an electric field is often large and may require patient hospitalization … Read more

DeRoyal’s Continuum solution consists of RFID tags and GPS units attached to negative pressure wound pumps, so that each pump can be tracked from the time it is assigned to a patient until that individual is finished using the pump at home, following discharge … Health-care technology company DeRoyal has released a solution for hospitals employing its Continuum UHF RFID-based platform, for use in tracking pumps that are utilized for negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). The system leverages RFID technology built into cabinets, as well as tags and GPS technology—along with cellular and satellite connections—built into pump units to identify where they are located in real time. The solution enables the pumps to be used at hospitals, and to travel with patients after they are discharged, with insurance companies billed accordingly … read more