3M KCI SNAP Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System

Who Uses SNAP Negative Pressure Wound Therapy? This wound treatment system is used by clinicians and veterinarians to reduce exudate and tissue debris in wounds.

Why They Love It: The therapy system is slim and discreet, allowing for optimal mobility during NPWT for pets and ambulatory adults. There is only one continuous preset pressure, so there is no stress or fuss. The system is easy to operate and the dressings are a snap to apply for uncomplicated NPWT management at home.

The SNAP Wound Vac is a wearable negative pressure therapy system applied in a snap, taking 10 minutes or less to set up for wound healing to begin. It is small and discreet to allow for patient mobility while treating acute to chronic wounds. The system cartridge applies 125 mmHg for negative pressure wound therapy that's designed to draw out excess wound exudate, infectious material, and tissue debris from the wound bed. The KCI SNAP Vac system handles low to moderate amounts of exudate to promote the healing of complex wounds. The cartridge features BIOLOCK Technology to quickly transform the material into a gel for optimal containment. The cartridge is mechanically powered and preset to 125 mmHg for one continuous pressure. The SNAP System truly lives up to its name; there are no batteries to replace or settings to adjust for uncomplicated use and dressing changes.

Vitality Medical offers a wide variety of wound care products.

• SNAP Bridge Dressing Kit – contains a SNAP 14 x 11 cm Hydrocolloid Dressing, Bridge Foam Dressing, tubing, and a SecuRing Hydrocolloid Skin Barrier. The barrier ensures fast and easy sealing on uneven body contours or uneven skin surfaces.
• SNAP Advanced Dressing Kits – contain either the 10 x 10 cm or the 20 x 20 cm SNAP Hydrocolloid Dressing, Reticulated Open Cell Foam Interface (Blue), and tubing. The foam is designed to evenly distribute the 125 mmHg across the wound bed while facilitating the channeling of wound exudate to the cartridge.  

The proprietary SNAP Hydrocolloid Dressings are thin with grid markings to make it easy to cut to size for customizing the dressing to the wound’s length and width. The dressings have a carboxymethyl cellulose adhesive to ensure a robust seal while making it gentle and easy to remove.

Can the patient shower while using the SNAP vac for wounds?
Yes. Patients may shower but not bathe where the system is submerged. 

Can the SNAP Cartridge be sterilized? 
No. The system is nonsterile and should not be sterilized.

Can the tubing be shortened? 
Yes. The tubing may be cut to fit, especially when therapy is on the foot where there is a risk of tripping.

What does it mean if the red Pressure Discharge Indicator is visible?
The dressing should be sucked down and hard to the touch. The red light indicates that the airtight seal is compromised and three checkpoints may be the cause: the SNAP Cartridge, tubing connection, and dressing.

Can the SNAP System be worn during an MRI?
No, SNAP vac therapy should not be worn during an MRI. The cartridge material is not safe for use in MRI equipment.