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The world’s most researched NPWT solution

The 3M™ V.A.C.® Therapy system, the first commercially available negative pressure wound therapy system, has helped heal 10 million wounds worldwide.1 Supported by comparative clinical evidence, it has been shown to reduce readmission risk and minimize reoperation,2 resulting in shorter hospital stays and fewer complications.2,3 Choose V.A.C.® Therapy to help improve patient care and contribute to your revenue goals. 

View the evidence
Beauty image of patient's lower leg with health care nurse. Patients is wearing 3M™ V.A.C.® Peel and Place Dressing and 3M™ ActiV.A.C.™ Therapy Unit. Includes 3M™ SensaT.R.A.C.™ Pad. Solventum Branding, Product Application Image, rgb, tif
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Unlock the power of V.A.C.® Therapy

Assess

the patient and the wound

An iconographic representation of a magnifying glass with a checkmark in the centre to represent control. Dark green and medium teal positive colour palette.

Care

for the patient and the wound

Icon of a wound vacuum system.

Transition

the patient once goals are met

An iconographic representation of person with an IV bag and an arrow facing outward to represent out patient. Dark green and medium teal positive color palette.

Solventum delivers tools to support clinical decision-making around negative pressure solutions so you can act with confidence, providing the right care at the right time to your patients. Unlock the power of VAC® Therapy with a decision guide to help you select the right NPWT solution based on the wound goals for your patient.  ​ 

View decision guide
View more resources
Rendered image of the 3M™ V.A.C.® Ulta Therapy Unit with cassette from a 3/4 left-facing view

Proven results of V.A.C.® Therapy

 

There are over 2,000 peer-reviewed studies4 which have evaluated the effectiveness of V.A.C.® Therapy in a variety of settings and indicated wound types. Comparative studies have shown that V.A.C.® Therapy has been associated with:

  • Fewer hospitalizations2,5
  • Fewer complications5,6
  • Fewer amputations7,8
  • Fewer dressing changes9,10
  • Faster time to wound healing11
  • Shorter hospitalization7,8
  • Reduced treatment times12,13

By reducing the factors that contribute to direct and indirect wound care costs, V.A.C.® Therapy has emerged as a cost-effective option for wound management.

The benefits of 
V.A.C.® Therapy

V.A.C.® Therapy is a world leader in negative pressure wound technology and the first commercially available option. It promotes an environment for wound healing by protecting the wound from external contamination, providing a moist wound environment, and promoting the formation of granulation tissue.14

Draws wound edges together
The application of uniform negative pressure induces a physical response that can be seen immediately as the wound edges are drawn together, allowing for optimal contact between the wound bed and the dressing.15

Removes exudate and infectious material
V.A.C.® Therapy facilitates the removal of wound exudate, which may contain particles that inhibit wound healing.14

Reduces edema and promotes perfusion
The removal of wound fluids assists in the reduction of edema, which facilitates 
the flow of blood into the wound bed, providing the oxygen and nutrients that are needed for wound healing.14

Promotes granulation tissue formation
Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that dressing contact with tissues creates 
micro-deformation that can lead to cell stretch.15 Cell stretch under negative pressure stimulates cellular activity that results in granulation tissue formation.16

Over subsequent dressing changes, the granulation tissue fills the wound bed, further reducing the volume and preparing it for final closure.

Placement of 3M™ V.A.C.® Peel and Place Dressing and 3M™ SensaT.R.A.C.™ Pad on patient in operating room with surgeon smoothing dressing. Solventum Branding, Product Application Image, rgb, tif

V.A.C.® Therapy: How-to videos

Explore our video series covering all aspects of the V.A.C.® Therapy, including an overview about V.A.C.® Therapy, tips for applying V.A.C.® Dressings using the "mushroom" technique on small wounds, safety information and more. 

How V.A.C.® Therapy works

Learn how negative pressure helps draw wound edges together, allows for the removal of exudate and infectious material, and stimulates the growth of tissue to help fill the wound bed with granulation tissue.

Therapy unit options to deliver V.A.C.® Therapy

Choose from a wide variety of therapy units that meet the clinical and outcome goals of different patients and different types of wounds. 

V.A.C.® Ulta Therapy Unit

  • Device type: Negative pressure wound therapy unit designed for acute care
    

  • Device use: Primarily in-hospital use


  • Canister size: 500 mL or 1,000 mL


  • Delivery options: -25mmHg to -200mmHg in continuous or 3M™ Dynamic Pressure Control™ Therapy (intermittent) mode 


  • Product size: Weight: 3.5 kg
Dimensions: 22 cm x 26 cm x 19 cm


  • Battery life: Up to 6 hours
View product
Rendered image of the 3M� V.A.C.� Ulta Therapy Unit with saline bag and cassette from a 3/4 view

ActiV.A.C.™ 
Therapy Unit

  • Device type: Negative pressure wound therapy system

  • Device use: Portable device for both in hospital and out of hospital care settings


  • Canister size: 300 mL


  • Delivery options: -25mmHg to -200mmHg in intermittent or continuous mode

  • Product size: Weight: 1.1 kg
Dimensions: 19 x 15 x 6 cm


  • Battery life: Up to 14 hours
View product
Rendered image of the 3M ActiV.A.C. Therapy Unit with iOn Progress Remote Therapy Monitoring from a right 3/4 view.

3M Prevena Plus™ 125 Therapy Unit

  • Device type: Portable, disposable system


  • Device use: Portable, disposable single patient use device in hospital or out of hospital care settings


  • Canister size: 150 mL


  • Delivery options: -125 mmHg continuous mode only


  • Product size: Weight: 0.3 kg
Dimensions: 16cm x 9cm x 3cm 


  • Battery life: up to 8.5 hours
View product
Image illustrating Prevena plus 125 unit without wire

3M V.A.C.® Dressings

From dressings to kits, we have NPWT solutions to promote wound healing.

3M™ SensaT.R.A.C.™ Technology

V.A.C.® Therapy is the only NPWT device with proprietary SensaT.R.A.C. Technology, which continuously monitors negative pressure at the wound site and compensates for any changes, maintaining a consistent environment for fluid removal. SensaT.R.A.C. Technology provides confidence that the appropriate environment for wound healing is being maintained. 

  • Engineered to maintain selected negative pressure 
  • Provides real-time pressure feedback 
  • Adjusts and monitors pressure at the wound site 
  • Helps maintain consistent environment for fluid removal 

SensaT.R.A.C. Technology with 3M™ Easyclear Purge™ Technology 

  • Forces positive air periodically through outer lumen to aid in the prevention and clearance of blockages 
View product
SENSAT.R.A.C™ PAD, V.A.C.® SIMPLICITY™ Therapy System, V.A.C.® Therapy, product image, cmyk, jpeg. 29-A-440, PRA-PM-US-00150, 70-2011-8246-9, PRA-PM-US-03106, PRA-PM-AT-00029
Bottom view, 3D Product Rendering of 3M V.A.C. Peel and Place Dressing on white background.

3M V.A.C.® Peel and Place Dressing Kit

3M V.A.C.® Peel and Place Dressing is the first V.A.C.® Therapy Dressing that can be worn for up to seven days,17* which means you can provide consistent and effective NPWT to your patients with fewer dressing changes, clinic visits and home visits.  

V.A.C.® Peel and Place Dressing is designed to: 

  • Create an environment that promotes wound healing by covering the wound bed
  • Reduce dressing changes by up to 67% per week** compared to 3M™ traditional NPWT foam dressing 
  • Take less than two minutes to apply,*** so it is easier for you and requires less training 
  • Provide 2.4 times greater granulation tissue thickness,**** promoting healing17  
  • Sustain a 33%***** greater reduction in wound volume17.

*Information contained within conducted animal studies has not been evaluated in humans.

**Based on the 3M™ V.A.C.® Peel and Place Dressing up to 7 day wear time and the 3M™ V.A.C.® Granufoam™ Dressing recommendation of dressing changes every 2-3 days.

***In a simulated use test with 12 nurses and surgeon users. Average time of 01:48.

****Information contained within conducted animal studies has not been evaluated in humans.

*****This was calculated based on an 87.8% wound fill at day 7 for Peel and Place dressing versus 65.7% wound fill at day 7 for 3M™ traditional NPWT foam dressing in the no dressing change group (presented as 1.3 times greater in the paper).

View product

3M Express Therapy Portal

Explore the 3M™ Express™ Therapy Portal, designed to provide healthcare professionals with easy access to comprehensive therapy resources, patient management tools and real-time support. Visit our portal today to start optimizing your practice today and facilitating the delivery of your prescribed therapy.

Log in or register now
Image showing express therapy portal on computer and mobile devices

3M Express Therapy Portal

Explore the 3M™ Express™ Therapy Portal, designed to provide healthcare professionals with easy access to comprehensive therapy resources, patient management tools and real-time support. Visit our portal today to start optimizing your practice today and facilitating the delivery of your prescribed therapy.

Log in or register now
Image showing express therapy portal on computer and mobile devices

Solventum education

Expand your knowledge of the latest techniques and training with the wide range of courses available on Solventum Education. Discover online learning that's right for you.

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References:

  1. 3M. Cumulative NPWT Wounds. 2018.
  2. Page JC, Newsander B, Schwenke DC, Hansen M, Ferguson J. Retrospective analysis of negative pressure wound therapy in open foot wounds with significant soft tissue defects. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2004;17(7):354-364
  3. Law A L. Krebs B. Karnik B. Griffin L. Comparison of Healthcare Costs Associated With Patients Receiving Traditional Negative Pressure Wound Therapies in the Post Acute Setting. Cureus 12(11): e11790.
  4. KCI. Percentage of V.A.C. Therapy Articles vs. Comp Articles. May 7, 2020.
  5. Scherer, L.A.; Shiver, S.; Chang, M.; Meredith, J.W.; Owings, J.T. The vacuum assisted closure device: a method of securing skin grafts and improving graft survival. Arch. Surg. 2002; 137:930-934.
  6. Falagas, M.E.; Tansarli, G.S.; Kapaskelis, A.; Vardakas, K.Z. Impact of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy on clinical outcomes of patients with sternal wound infections: a meta-analysis of non-randomized studies. PLoS One. 2013 May 31; 8(5):e64741.
  7. Blume, P.A.; Walters, J.; Payne, W.; Ayala, J.; Lantis, J. Comparison of negative pressure wound therapy using vacuum-assisted closure with advanced moist wound therapy in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Care. 2008; 31:631-636.
  8. Armstrong, D.G.; Lavery, L.A. Diabetic Foot Study Consortium. Negative pressure wound therapy after partial diabetic foot amputation: a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2005;366:1704-1710.
  9. Monsen, C.; Acosta, S.; Mani, K.; Wann-Hansson, C. A randomised study of NPWT closure versus alginate dressings in peri-vascular groin infections: quality of life, pain and cost. J. Wound Care. 2015; 24:252-260.
  10. Ozturk, E.; Ozguc, H.; Yilmazlar, T. The use of vacuum assisted closure therapy in the management of Fournier's gangrene. Am. J. Surg. 2009; 197:660-665.
  11. Yao, M.; Fabbi, M.; Hayashi, H.; et al. A retrospective cohort study evaluating efficacy in high-risk patients with chronic lower extremity ulcers treated with negative pressure wound therapy. International Wound Journal. 2014; 11:483-488.
  12. Sinha, K.; Chauhan, V.D.; Maheshwari, R.; Chauhan, N.; Rajan, M.; Agrawal, A. Vacuum assisted closure therapy versus standard wound therapy for open musculoskeletal injuries. Adv Orthop. 2013; 2013:245940.
  13. Dalla, Paola, L.; Carone, A.; Ricci, S.; Russo, A.; Ceccacci, T.; Ninkovic, S. Use of vacuum assisted closure therapy in the treatment of diabetic foot wounds. Journal of Diabetic Foot Complications. 2010; 2:33-44.
  14. Orgill DP, Manders EK, Sumpio BE, et al. The mechanisms of action of vacuum assisted closure: more to learn. Surgery. 2009 Jul;146(1):40-51.
  15. Saxena V, Hwang CW, Huang S, Eichbaum Q, Ingber D, Orgill DP. Vacuum-assisted closure: microdeformations of wounds and cell proliferation. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004 Oct;114(5):1086-96; discussion 1097-8.
  16. McNulty AK, et al. Effects of negative pressure wound therapy on the fibroblast viability, chemotactic signaling and proliferation in a provisional wound (fibrin) matrix. WOUNDS. 2007; 15:838-‐846.
  17. SAT-MTF-05-982101 Evaluation of VAC Peel and Place Dressing Concepts in Full-Thickness Excisional Wounds. 2023. Allen D, Robinson T, Schmidt M, Kieswetter K. Preclinical assessment of novel longer-duration wear negative pressure wound therapy dressing in a porcine model. Wound Rep Reg. 2023;31:349-359.