Vygon Announces New Silver Catheter Resistant to MRSA

March 23, 2006 - Press Dispensary - Vygon (UK) Ltd (http://www.vygon.com) announces the availability of the Lifecath Expert - a silver impregnated, long-term, cuffed catheter which has antimicrobial protection and is resistant to MRSA. The product is adept at reducing the risk of line infections for cancer patients requiring long term intravenous therapy.

Les Davies, MD of Vygon, says: ?As a company specialising in vascular access devices, we are aware of the growing health concerns caused by resistant bacteria and infections in hospitals. If used in conjunction with a comprehensive infection control policy, the Lifecath Expert is a real answer to a very real need.?

Patients with intravenous catheters in-situ for chemotherapy and other long-term intravenous therapy commonly use cuffed silicone catheters as their preferred central vascular access device. Although the incorporation of silver in vascular access devices is not new, the Lifecath Expert is the first long-term cuffed catheter available in the UK to be impregnated with silver throughout its inner and outer surfaces, offering long-term protection.

Lifecath Expert was introduced to the industry at the Intravenous Therapy Conference in Oxford, UK, on 8-9 March 2006.

Helen Hamilton, a senior nurse in vascular access at the John Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust, Oxford, comments: "A haematology patient had a Lifecath Expert placed last September for his bone marrow transplant and sailed through without any infection, which is unusual. I have just taken his line out and he reports that it was comfortable, much more so than the standard central venous catheter.?

Lesley Fitzsimmons, a clinical nurse specialist in cancer care at Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, evaluated 20 of the double lumen silver impregnated Lifecath Expert catheters as a pre-trial. Ms Fitzsimmons said: "There were no adverse events from insertion and some of the lines remain in-situ, which is promising. We are keen to undertake further research and evaluation.?

The Lifecath Expert is the most recent addition to Vygon?s range of antimicrobial central venous catheters. The AgION? antimicrobial delivery system ensures the regulated slow release of silver ions. Over a period of one year, silver ions are released slowly from the catheter?s inner and outer surfaces, ensuring long term protection. Expert catheters prove effective against the most common pathogens causing device related infections, including gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and fungi.

For further enquiries about the Lifecath Expert, contact Vygon on 01285 657051 or .

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About Vygon
Vygon (UK) Ltd is part of the Vygon group - a family run company founded in 1962 and headquartered in France. Vygon has sold intravenous devices in the UK for 28 years and is an established supplier of high quality, single use medical and surgical products to the NHS. The Vygon group designs, manufactures and markets more than 100 million products in 110 countries, all in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO13485 standards.

For further information please contact:
Graham Milward, Vygon (UK) Ltd
Tel: 01285 657051 / 07866 563211
Email:
Site: www.vygon.com

Jade Scholes, customer communication manager
Tel: 01285 657051
Mob: 07967 738264
Email:
http://www.vygon.com