SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kinetic Concepts, Inc. today announced that its CelluTome^™ Epidermal Harvesting System is commercially available in the US. The CelluTome^™ Epidermal Harvesting System offers an automated, precise and reproducible process of harvesting autologous, non-damaged epidermal tissue. The simplicity of the new system makes the benefits of epidermal grafting accessible to a much broader range of clinicians and patients than before.

“The CelluTome^™ System allows for a simplified and convenient way to harvest epidermis and provide autologous epidermal micrografts,” said Robert Kirsner, MD, PhD, professor and vice chairman, Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “Our experience, to date confirms harvesting with minimal, if any, pain and scarring and, most importantly, the ability to graft epidermis to help heal patients’ wounds.”

This new skin harvesting platform will enable physicians to harvest epidermal grafts consistently and reliably while minimizing donor site complications. The product is designed to harvest epidermis at the DE junction¹, which allows skin harvesting without the need for donor site anesthesia. The epidermal micrografts harvested with the CelluTome^™ System can be used in conjunction with KCI V.A.C.^® Therapy.

“The CelluTome^™ Epidermal Harvesting System addresses an unmet need in acquiring skin grafts and gives a broad range of physicians the ability to manage wounds effectively,” said Joe Woody, president and CEO, KCI. “The beauty of this new tool is that it provides a skin graft without damaging the donor site. This means the whole process can take place in an outpatient setting, which truly transforms the way physicians have traditionally used skin grafting.”

For more information about KCI, visit www.kci1.com. For more information about the CelluTome™ System, please visit www.cellutome.com.

About KCI

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (KCI) is a leading global medical technology company devoted to understanding, developing and commercializing innovative, high-technology transformational healing solutions for customers and patients in more than 25 countries around the world. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, KCI is committed to advancing the science of healing and positively impacting patient care by developing customer-driven innovations to meet the evolving needs of healthcare professionals. Proprietary KCI negative pressure technologies have revolutionized the way in which caregivers treat a wide variety of wound types. The V.A.C.^® Therapy System has been used on more than 7 million wounds worldwide. Additional information about KCI and its products is available at www.KCI1.com.

¹The DE (dermoepidermal) junction is the undulating basement membrane zone between superficial (stratum papillare) and basal layer (stratum basale) of the epidermis.

Illustrated Dictionary of Podiatry and Foot Science by Jean Mooney © 2009 Elsevier Limited. All rights reserved.