Smith & Nephew introduces the first, pocket-sized, canister-free, portable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy system in the EU

HULL, England, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

The Advanced Wound Management division of Smith & Nephew, (LSE: SN; NYSE: SNN) today announced the CE Mark approval for PICO(TM), an effective, single-use, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) system for acute and chronic wounds, high-risk surgical incisions and skin grafts. PICO allows effective fluid management directly through the dressing, eliminating canisters and expanding negative pressure to a wider number of patients. PICO is now available throughout the European Union (EU) and was officially unveiled at the European Wound Management Association (EWMA) conference taking place in Brussels, Belgium [25-27 May].

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110525/SF08565)

The PICO system contains a disposable, one-button pump, coupled with an advanced dressing which negates the need for a bulky canister, simplifying NPWT. The pump is pocket-sized for the utmost patient privacy and the innovative dressing can be worn up to seven days.

"A system like PICO that combines the clinical effectiveness of NPWT with the known benefits of advanced wound care dressings is an ideal solution for appropriate patients, especially those at high risk in the critical days following surgery," said Professor Donald Hudson, Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery at the University of Cape Town, South Africa and Groote Schuur Hospital. "PICO opens up some very interesting possibilities in treating many kinds of small to medium sized wounds in both hospital and outpatient settings."

Preclinical studies show that PICO delivered pressure to the wound bed, tissue contraction and blood flow in a virtually identical fashion to standard NPWT. In vitro tests also show that PICO was able to deliver negative pressure and remove exudate at clinically relevant levels without the need for a canister. This effective and simplified NPWT technology makes PICO a practical solution that is readily available with minimal administration and training, allowing clinicians to make the most of their time and resources.

"At Smith & Nephew we believe it's our responsibility to achieve both superior patient outcomes as well as conserve resources for healthcare systems," said Roger Teasdale, President of Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management. "As a leader in wound care, PICO demonstrates our pledge to providing innovative solutions and reinforces our commitment to reducing the human and economic cost of wounds."

For more information about PICO, please visit www.mypico.co

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business with global leadership positions in Orthopaedics, including Reconstruction, Trauma and Clinical Therapies; Endoscopy, including Sports Medicine; and Advanced Wound Management. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies.

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company has distribution channels, purchasing agents and buying entities in over 90 countries worldwide. Annual sales in 2010 were nearly $4.0 billion.

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