KOB GmbH (KOB), a global B2B manufacturer of medical devices and elastic special textiles, has won the Innovation award in the 2024 Medical Device Network Excellence Awards for its innovative wound care management solution.

The Medical Device Network Excellence Awards honor the most significant achievements and innovations in the medical devices industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies leading change and shaping the future of the industry.

KOB won the award for its groundbreaking product, Pedilay® Foot, which addresses critical challenges in wound care management. The company has distinguished itself through a patented design that simplifies application, enhances patient comfort, and offers cost-effective solutions for healthcare systems.

Pedilay® Foot addresses the nursing crisis

The global nursing crisis is a pressing issue, with countries such as Germany, the UK, and Canada experiencing a significant shortage of skilled nursing staff. This shortage is exacerbated by an aging population and increasing demands on healthcare systems. In Germany alone, the number of people requiring care is projected to rise by 24% by 2030, while the shortfall in nursing staff is expected to increase by 150%.

Pedilay Foot by KOB

Pedilay® Foot addresses this challenge by offering a ready-to-use secondary dressing that simplifies wound care management. Its design eliminates the need for additional materials like scissors and fixation plasters, allowing healthcare professionals to apply and remove the dressing quickly and efficiently. This streamlined process not only saves time but also requires less physical effort, enabling them to focus on more critical aspects of patient care. By providing a practical solution to optimize workflows, Pedilay® Foot plays a crucial role in mitigating the impact of the nursing crisis on healthcare systems.

Patented design: Innovation and market differentiation

Pedilay Foot patented design

Pedilay® Foot’s patented design is a testament to KOB’s commitment to innovation and excellence in wound care technology. Unlike conventional secondary dressings, Pedilay® Foot features integrated hook and loop fasteners that provide a secure and adjustable fit. This innovative design allows for easy application and removal, facilitating quick wound inspections without the need for dressing changes.

The product’s versatility extends to its suitability for various applications, including diabetic foot care, leg ulcers, and post-operative wound care. For instance, in the treatment of diabetic foot syndrome, Pedilay® Foot offers a reliable solution for securing primary dressings, reducing the risk of complications associated with improper dressing application. Its adaptability to different foot shapes and sizes further enhances its utility, making it a preferred choice for healthcare providers seeking efficient and effective wound care solutions. By setting a new standard in the market, Pedilay® Foot underscores KOB’s leadership in delivering cutting-edge medical devices that address unmet needs in wound care management.

Enhancing patient comfort and quality of life

Pedilay Foot patient comfort

Patient comfort and compliance are critical factors in successful wound care management, and Pedilay® Foot excels in these areas. The product is crafted from a skin-friendly, air-permeable non-woven fabric that minimizes friction and pressure points, ensuring a comfortable fit for patients. This design is particularly beneficial for individuals with chronic wounds, such as those with diabetic foot syndrome or leg ulcers, who require long-term dressing solutions. The ability for patients to self-adjust the dressing enhances their autonomy and quality of life, allowing them to manage their wound care with greater ease and confidence. For example, patients can easily reclose the hook and loop fasteners to inspect their wounds without needing to replace the entire dressing, reducing the frequency of dressing changes and associated discomfort. By prioritizing patient comfort and compliance, Pedilay® foot not only meets clinical needs but also improves the overall patient experience, making it a valuable addition to any wound care regimen.

Cost-effective solutions for healthcare systems

Cost-effectiveness is a crucial consideration for providers and institutions. Pedilay® Foot addresses this need by reducing the reliance on additional fixation materials and allowing for multiple dressing inspections without replacement. This translates to significant cost savings for healthcare systems, particularly in long-term wound care management. The product’s ability to be opened and reclosed multiple times without losing its integrity further contributes to its cost-effectiveness. For example, in the treatment of chronic wounds like leg ulcers, where frequent dressing changes are common, Pedilay® Foot offers a sustainable solution that minimizes material waste and can reduce overall treatment costs. By offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional dressings, Pedilay® Foot enables healthcare providers to allocate resources more efficiently, ultimately enhancing the quality of care delivered to patients. This focus on economic sustainability, combined with its innovative design, positions Pedilay® Foot as a valuable asset in the pursuit of improved healthcare outcomes.

Company Profile

KOB logo

KOB is a leading international B2B manufacturer of medical devices and elastic special textiles for medical and pharmaceutical companies.

The company employs 1,250 people at five locations worldwide in development, sales, production and assembly. Textile production takes place at the sites in Wolfstein, Germany, and Coimbatore, India. The company has its headquarters in Wolfstein and is part of the HARTMANN GROUP in Heidenheim.

In its core medical business, KOB has been a development partner and manufacturer of medical devices such as elastic bandages and fabrics for medical applications for the leading brand suppliers worldwide for over 120 years. KOB products are bandages for support, fixation and compression as well as carrier materials for adhesive bandages and plasters. They are used in sports medicine & orthopaedics, phlebology & lymphology and wound care. Special elastic fabrics are used as carrier fabrics for transdermal therapeutic systems (pharmaceutical applications).

Today, KOB also develops special textiles that can be combined with electronic components or made of innovative yarns to create textiles that will change tomorrow’s medical care. The company set up its own team of experts for this purpose at an early stage and is involved in research and development projects.

Within these research projects KOB developed a demonstrator for monitoring chronic wounds and invented a prototype system for measuring the therapy success when curing edema. KOB is also currently working on a prototype detection system for electrolyte disorders in premature infants and on sensing health parameters in post operation and rehabilitation.

Links