KCI Hosts Investigator Meeting for New Multicenter Observational ABTAC Study during American College of Surgeons' Clinical Congress

Available nationwide, ABThera is an easy-to-use system designed to assist surgeons in the management and treatment of the open abdomen while helping to achieve primary fascial closure.

"This is the first comprehensive technology dedicated to open abdomen disease pathology, demonstrating excellent ease of use and material integrity," said Grant Bocchiccio, M.D., chief of Shock Trauma at the University of Maryland. "The ABThera System is easy to apply and can enhance a surgeon's application speed in regards to temporary abdominal closure. Immediate placement of the ABThera System, combined with fluid management, has the potential to increase the abdominal closure rate and provides patients with a better chance at healing."

KCI will host an investigator meeting to initiate a multicenter observational study comparing ABThera OA NPT System to the Barker Vacuum Packing Technique. Enrollment opens Nov 2009 and will involve 18 centers nationwide, including:

-- Shock Trauma at the University of Maryland, Dr. Grant Bocchiccio

-- Orlando Regional Medical Center, Dr. Michael Cheatham

-- Regional Medical Center/University of Tennessee-Memphis, Dr. Timothy Fabian

-- Albert Einstein Medical Center, Dr. Mark Kaplan

-- University of Southern California/Los Angeles County, Dr. Demetrios Demetriades

KCI will additionally host a symposium with Dr. Mark Kaplan, Dr. Rao Ivatury and Prof. Gary Nieman discussing the use of ABThera OA NPT System entitled, "Latest Perspectives in Management of the Open Abdomen." The symposium will be held Monday, Oct. 12, 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in McCormick Place West, W-190 AB, Level 1 at the McCormick Place Convention Center.

The ABThera OA NPT System is featured at booth 1107 during the conference.

"We are excited about the product launch and corresponding clinical study that promises to bring to the marketplace evidence about the ABThera OA NPT System," said Mike Genau, KCI Global President, Wound Therapy. "KCI will continue our practice of supporting physician's evidence based medicine practices while providing access to the most advanced clinical therapies for our patients and clinicians."

About KCI

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE:KCI), is a leading global medical technology company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of innovative, high-technology therapies and products for the wound care, tissue regeneration and therapeutic support system markets. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, KCI's success spans more than three decades and can be traced to a history deeply rooted in innovation and a passion for significantly improving the healing and the lives of patients around the world.

The Company employs 6,700 people and markets its products in more than 20 countries. For more information about KCI and how its products are changing the practice of medicine, visit www.KCI1.com.

All trademarks designated herein are proprietary to KCI Licensing, Inc. and/or LifeCell Corporation, their affiliates and/or licensors.

SOURCE: Kinetic Concepts, Inc.

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. 
Media: 
Kevin Belgrade, 210-255-6232 (Office) or 210-216-1236 (Wireless) 
kevin.belgrade@kci1.com 
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