Abstract
PROBLEM: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a well-accepted modality for treatment of difficult wounds, but has traditionally required a bulky electrically powered pump that was difficult to procure and use for both caregivers and patients. Often times, treatment of refractory smaller-sized wounds was impractical even though they may benefit from NPWT. SOLUTION: Spiracur (Sunnyvale, CA) has developed a simple, easy-to-use, single-use, off-the-shelf, mechanically powered NPWT device that weighs <3 ounces. This device allows for the practical treatment of smaller-sized wounds with NPWT designed specifically for the ambulatory patient being treated at home. NEW TECHNOLOGY: The Smart Negative Pressure (SNaP(®)) Wound Care System is a novel light-weight NPWT device that does not require an electrically powered pump. Instead, the SNaP system utilizes specialized springs to generate a preset (-75, -100, and -125 mmHg) continuous subatmospheric pressure level to the wound bed. This technology has demonstrated similar efficacy and increased usability for both clinicians and patients when compared with electrically powered NPWT devices. INDICATIONS FOR USE: Chronic, acute, traumatic, subacute, and dehisced wounds, partial-thickness burns, ulcers (such as diabetic or pressure), and surgically closed incisions and flaps. CAUTIONS: Wounds with excess necrotic tissue, active infection, fistulas, exposed vital structures, untreated osteomyelitis, and that are highly exudative. The SNaP system was not designed for wounds that exceed the size of the dressing in surface area or have exudate levels greater than capacity of the cartridge.