SmartTRAK highlights novel diagnostic devices for pressure ulcer (PU) prevention and interviews PU Sensor’s CEO Johannes Walfidsson at EPUAP 2022

According to SmartTRAK incidence and prevalence data*, there were over 10 million pressure ulcers in Europe in 2021, with four million being stage III to IV. This means that pressure ulcers account for around two-thirds of the total number of chronic wounds on the continent and almost half of the hard-to-heal wounds. Given these eye-opening statistics, it would be understandable to expect that the first European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) Meeting in three years would indicate growing engagement in this area, both clinically and commercially. Unfortunately, on the evidence of the event in Prague, this wasn’t the case, with delegate numbers declining from previous years and a sparse exhibition hall missing many of the prominent wound care players. This begs the question; why isn’t there a greater focus on pressure ulcers and prevention? (Click to listen to SmartTRAK's interview with PU Sensor's CEO Johannes Walfidsson, "Advancing Risk Assessment for Pressure Ulcers." You can also download a complete transcript of the interview here)

Surgical matrices revenue is flat while procedure volumes level out

Among the many topics covered in detail in our comprehensive Q222 US Surgical Matrices Market Recap* are:

SmartTRAK looks at trends in the Diagnostic Aids market for 2022 with an eye on hard-to-heal wounds, regulatory and reimbursement checkpoints and investment deals and financing.

• Hard-to-heal wounds continue to drive resource utilization and cost
• Clinicians need diagnostic tools to help guide more efficient and effective product selection
• Companies are making incremental progress navigating regulatory and reimbursement checkpoints
• Investors see potential value as evidenced by deals and financing

In 2007, the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) published a consensus document on the Principles of Best Practice in Diagnostics and Wounds. The authors identified the need for new diagnostic tests to help identify why some wounds do not respond to advanced therapies. The document further suggested that the ideal diagnostic tool can detect and quantify biomarkers that impact wound healing, such as molecules, biofilms, oxygen content and temperature changes. SmartTRAK looks at trends in the Diagnostic Aids market in 2022 with a focus on ...

To download and read the complete article "Wound Care Diagnostic Aids: Trends to Watch in 2022 and Beyond" just click the button below.

Could biosensors and smart dressings be the final frontier in wound diagnostics? SmartTRAK explores the current progress of this market and how it could develop.

It has been 15 years since the World Union of Wound Healing Societies’ Initiative published a consensus document entitled “Diagnostics and Wounds.” Since then, the clinical practice around assessing and diagnosing wounds has not evolved at the same rate as that of treatments. At the same time, the need for improved wound diagnostics has never been greater given burgeoning chronic wound numbers and the continued shift of wound care services to the outpatient setting.

Could the next area of development be that of biosensors and smart dressings? SmartTRAK believes there is increasing evidence that this could be the case. In this article, we explore the developments that are taking place, how the identification of infection biomarkers may be lucrative and ways the market may change in the coming years.

Among the many topics discussed in this article are:

In June, wound, ostomy and continence-focused nurses, and supporting industry gathered in Fort Worth, TX for the hybrid WOCNext 2022 conference. In-person attendance was below expectations, but healthy booth time allowed for product discussions with exhibitors.

SmartTRAK reports that challenging conditions lead to minimal innovation in Paris.

It was third time lucky for the approximately 3,500 attendees of the 2022 European Wound Management Association (EWMA) conference in Paris. Although not yet back to a pre-pandemic number of participants, it was encouraging to see an international presence without the barrier of COVID-19 restrictions. Previous dates in 2020 and early 2022 fell to the pandemic, so great credit goes to the organizers and exhibitors for persevering and delivering a positive and engaging event.

Among the many topics covered in this SmartTRAK perspective article, which you can download here, are:

• MDR Consuming R&D Resources
• Clouds over Germany - Is There a Silver Lining?
• Establishing a European Foothold
• The Trend in Using Fewer Layers in Compress

Surgical matrices procedures appear back to near pre-pandemic levels, with revenues on the rise

With elective procedures in the United States mostly back at pre-pandemic levels, the US Surgical Matrices Market returned to what had been normal growth in Q122, gaining +5.7% YoY according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. AbbVie* continued to lead the Surgical Matrices Market, though it was approximately flat, while Becton Dickinson* (BD) grew strongly.

Among the many topics covered in detail in our comprehensive Q122 US Surgical Matrices Market Recap* are:

WW Advanced Wound Care growth settles to a traditional mid-single digit growth rate as global wound care moves past COVID-19.

SmartTRAK investigates recent trends in hernia repair clinical trials and how these trends relate to competition in the hernia repair market. Using a new SmartTRAK tool to analyze data in clinicaltrials.gov, SmartTRAK describes shifting trends in hernia repair research with company-sponsored studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs)

WUWHS – a hybrid event with a local touch

Back Into the Water
After having been postponed several times, the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) finally took place in Abu Dhabi in early March and SmartTRAK was there. Mölnlycke* came in hot, launching Avance Solo* in the region, whereas most other companies were represented by local distributors. SmartTRAK noted that the hybrid format was an interesting concept, unfortunately, impacted by technical issues.

The Olympics of Wound Care
WUWHS is similar to the Olympics in the sense that it is an event with a global focus held every fourth year, every time by a new organizer. Like the Olympics, the WUWHS was postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19, the last one was held six years ago, and the pandemic also impacted both attendance and format. A negative COVID test was required both to enter and leave Abu Dhabi, which likely made attendees participate online rather than in person. SmartTRAK estimates that 20% to 30% of the participants were there in person and 70% to 80% participated online. Unfortunately, the event was full of technical issues and there were also many speakers missing when they were supposed to present, which brought down the overall experience for those who attended in person.

Mölnlycke Launches Avance Solo in the Region
Mölnlycke overshadowed all other companies at the event. It had the largest exhibition, an Innovation Area lounge, a high international presence, held the most lunch symposia and was the only company doing a major product launch.

The Company launched its ...