Kinetic Concepts (KCI), a San Antonio, Texas-based global medical technology company, has reported the first patient placement of its vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) ATS Therapy System in Japan.
Reportedly, Kyorin Hospital became the first institution in Japan to use VAC Therapy on a patient, who had a pressure ulcer. Typical patients eligible for VAC Therapy in Japan include those with dehisced and hard-to-heal open wounds, and wounds following trauma, surgery, amputation and debridement. Prior to the launch of VAC Therapy in the country, patients with serious wounds faced extensive recovery times and painful redressing of wounds.
Catherine Burzik, president and CEO of KCI, said: “KCI’s success in bringing this revolutionary medical technology to Japan is the direct result of a collaborative effort between KCI and key Japanese clinical investigators. We wish to thank the Japanese government for placing its trust in our proven therapy system and the medical professionals who will use it to help heal patients with complex wounds.”
Kiyonori Harii, professor of department of plastic surgery and chief investigator in the VAC Therapy clinical trial, at Kyorin University, said: “VAC Therapy can greatly reduce patient recovery times compared to other options, an important consideration when deciding treatment course. There are many patients with serious wounds in Japan who can benefit from VAC Therapy. It’s a medical solution that fills a great need, allowing us to successfully treat many patients whose wounds traditionally heal slowly or not at all.”
Mike Genau, president of active healing solutions at KCI, said: “We’ve been working hard for more than five years to enter Japan and are excited that today has finally arrived. The opportunity to improve patient lives in yet another country is hard and rewarding work, and we look forward to watching how VAC Therapy changes medical practice in Japan and beyond as we continue to enter new markets globally.”
Kinetic Concepts is into the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of therapies and products for the wound care, tissue regeneration and therapeutic support system markets.