Ultra-Portable Device Makes Negative Pressure Wound Therapy More Affordable, Accessible

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a widely used modality to improve healing of acute and chronic wounds though the application of topical reduced pressure. This therapy helps to literally suck wounds closed. Non-healing wounds from diabetes or bed sores are pervasive healthcare problems, and although patients can benefit greatly from devices that deliver NPWT as demonstrated in hundreds of studies including randomized controlled trials, the costs associated with devices that provide this therapy continue to rise. In 2009, the costs associated with NPWT rose to the eighth most expensive in Medicare’s entire durable medical equipment category. With government emphasis on reducing healthcare spending, there is a need for an alternative to traditional NPWT devices.