Guidelines Released for Use of KCI's V.A.C. Therapy on the Diabetic Foot; Key Opinion Leaders Issue Findings Regarding Application of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy.

SAN ANTONIO -- Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE: KCI), a global corporation that develops and markets a broad range of technology-based healthcare products, today announced the release of Guidelines from the Tucson Expert Consensus Conference (TECC) on V.A.C. (R) Therapy. The Guidelines offer general conclusions from an independent expert advisory panel convened to determine appropriate use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), also known as Vacuum Assisted Closure(R) or V.A.C.(R) Therapy, in the treatment of diabetic foot wounds.

The esteemed panel - comprised of prestigious surgeons and physicians- formed under the primary objective of shaping the direction of future research, refuting or confirming current consensus and providing practical guidance to caregivers treating diabetic foot wounds. The release of these Guidelines is an important step in moving V.A.C.(R) Therapy toward a standard of care to promote wound healing.

"Negative pressure wound therapy has become, in many centers, a standard of care in the treatment of a number of different wounds," notes David G. Armstrong, Professor of Surgery and Director of Scholl's Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR) at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, who served as Chair of this interdisciplinary panel. "The goal of this expert committee was to offer guidance to both the practicing clinician as well as to industry and academic researchers in an effort to better elucidate the potential for a very promising therapy. I think I speak for all committee members when I say that we look forward to the day when this device can be married with a standardized high level of care. I think we're getting very close-- and that's exciting."

General consensus, as presented in the TECC Guidelines:

--V.A.C.(R) Therapy is rapidly becoming a standard of care for complex diabetic foot wounds

--Turning the complex wound into a simple one is the optimal use of this modality

--Combining V.A.C.(R) Therapy with adequate offloading and debridement can yield consistently positive results

KCI's Medical Director, Dr. Wayne Schroeder added, "The consensus points to the great potential of V.A.C.(R) Therapy as a standard of wound healing and spotlights its initial success in treating wounds on the diabetic foot. We see the committee's informed experience as a significant force driving appropriate increased use while delivering enhanced wound healing with negative pressure wound therapy."

The V.A.C(R) System is indicated for use by the FDA to help promote the healing of specific wound types, including dehisced wounds, diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, chronic, acute and traumatic wounds grafts and flaps and partial-thickness burns. The guidelines discussed the potential benefits of the V.A.C. (R) System, which include removing fluids and infectious materials, assisting in granulation, reducing the number of dressing changes required and providing a moist wound healing environment.

The Guidelines regarding NPWT in the diabetic foot, also provide opinion regarding perioperative use of NPWT following peripheral arterial revascularization, reconstructive surgery and a comprehensive Q&A. The TECC Guidelines were published as a special supplement to the April 2004 issues of Ostomy/Wound Management, Wounds and Podiatry Today, all HMP Communications publications. To obtain the Guidelines in full, please contact a local KCI representative at 1-877-WOUNDVAC or view the document on line at the journals' Web sites.

The Guidelines conference was sponsored by an educational grant from KCI and authored by independent clinical experts and thought leaders. Some of the information represents the views and opinions of these experts based on their practice and expertise. Although the Guidelines generally discuss the benefits of normal healing and specifically cleared indications for use, they contain certain information that may be considered off-label. KCI does not promote off-label claims and encourages the clinician to consult specific indications, contraindications, precautions and safety tips from the V.A.C.(R) Therapy Clinical Guidelines, product literature and instructions for use prior to application.

About V.A.C.(R) Therapy

Vacuum Assisted Closure(R) Therapy, launched in the U.S. by KCI in 1995, has been demonstrated to be a clinical and cost effective use of negative pressure wound therapy to treat chronic and traumatic wounds including dehisced wounds, diabetic ulcers and pressure ulcers in all care settings. Clinical studies have shown that V.A.C. (R) Therapy can help encourage high quality, patient care by helping to promote wound healing.

About KCI

Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, KCI (NYSE: KCI) develops and markets innovative therapeutic systems that addresses the prevention of skin breakdown, wound healing, pulmonary complications and circulation problems associated with patient immobility. KCI's systems include V.A.C.(R) Therapy, specialty beds, mattress replacement systems, wheelchair seating and related devices. KCI serves hospitals, nursing homes and home care settings both in the U.S. and abroad. Additional information is available at the KCI website, http://www.kci1.com