ConvaTec, a world-leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, announced that the Vitala Continence Control Device (CCD) has received a Gold Award for Medical Design Excellence.

The 2010 Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA) were announced at a presentation ceremony recently in New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, in conjunction with the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) East Conference and Exposition.

Vitala CCD is an exceptionally innovative, non-intrusive device that provides temporary continence to individuals with an end colostomy. This unique technology, developed and patented by ConvaTec, allows individuals to manage their colostomy without a pouch, belt or irrigation. Indicated for use up to 8 hours, Vitala CCD is a single-use, disposable disc which is worn together with the ConvaTec Natura skin barrier (1-3/4” or 2-1/4”).

“ConvaTec is honoured to receive a prestigious Gold Award from the MDEA judges for the design of Vitala CCD,” said Nino Pionati, president, global marketing and business development, ConvaTec. “For people with a colostomy, this breakthrough technology will provide a new benchmark in ostomy management – giving individuals regained control, more confidence and greater freedom.”

This innovative pouchless ostomy device functions by sealing against the stoma to prevent release of stool while permitting gasses to vent through an integrated, deodorizing filter. When in use, stool is stored inside the body, negating the need to wear an ostomy pouch. The unique design of Vitala™ CCD not only eliminates the need for a pouch for an extended period of time each day, it also minimizes the noise and odors that occasionally accompany pouch use. The discreet low profile of the device also helps make the presence of an ostomy less noticeable.

Currently available in select European markets, the Vitala Continence Control Device will be previewed to US and global healthcare professionals at the upcoming WOCN/WCET Joint Meeting in Phoenix, AZ from June 12-16, 2010.

The Medical Design Excellence Awards competition (www.MDEAwards.com) presented by Canon Communications LLC and sponsored by Medical Device & Diagnostics Industry magazine, is the only awards program that exclusively recognizes contributions and advances in the design of medical products. Entries are evaluated on the basis of their design and engineering features, including innovative use of materials, user-related functions that improve healthcare delivery and change traditional medical attitudes or practices, features that provide enhanced benefits to the patient, and the ability of the product development team to overcome design and engineering challenges so that the product meets its clinical objectives.