PICO™ 7 Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System

A Simple Guide to Advanced Wound Healing at Home

Wound healing can be complex, particularly after surgery or when managing wounds that produce excess fluid. Modern wound care technologies aim to improve healing outcomes while allowing patients to recover comfortably outside the hospital environment. One such innovation is the PICO™ 7 Single Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) System, developed to support wound healing in both hospital and home care settings.

This guide explains how the PICO 7 system works, its benefits, and what patients and caregivers should expect during treatment.

What Is the PICO™ 7 System?

The PICO 7 system is a portable negative pressure wound therapy device designed to help manage wounds by applying gentle suction to the wound area. This therapy removes excess fluid, helps protect the wound from external contamination, and supports the natural healing process.

The system consists of:

• A small, battery-powered pump

• A soft, absorbent adhesive dressing

• Connecting tubing between the dressing and pump

Unlike traditional NPWT systems, PICO 7 is lightweight and designed for mobility, allowing patients to continue daily activities while receiving therapy.

How Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Helps Healing

Negative pressure wound therapy works by creating a controlled vacuum environment over the wound. This process:

• Removes excess wound fluid

• Helps reduce swelling

• Supports wound edge closure

• Protects the wound from external contamination

• Promotes an optimal healing environment

The dressing becomes slightly firm and wrinkled when therapy is active, indicating that negative pressure is being maintained.

Designed for Everyday Living

One of the key advantages of the PICO 7 system is that it allows patients to continue normal daily routines while receiving advanced wound care.

Mobility and Activity

The compact pump can be carried in a pocket or attached to a belt clip, making movement and light daily activities manageable during treatment.

Sleeping

Patients are advised to place the pump securely during sleep to prevent accidental pulling or falling.

Showering and Hygiene

Light showering is possible when the pump is temporarily disconnected and kept dry. The dressing itself should not be submerged or exposed to direct water spray.

Travel

The system can generally be used during travel, including flights, trains, and car journeys, allowing continuity of therapy outside clinical environments.

Understanding the PICO™ 7 Indicators

The pump uses visual LED indicators to communicate system status:

• Green light – therapy functioning normally

• Orange leak indicator – possible air leak detected

• Dressing full indicator – dressing may require replacement

• Battery indicator – batteries need changing

The system does not use audible alarms, so visual checks are important during therapy.

Dressing Wear Time and Replacement

PICO 7 dressings are typically worn for up to seven days, depending on the wound type, size, and fluid level. Dressing changes should always be performed by a healthcare professional to ensure proper wound management.

Safety Considerations

Patients should contact their healthcare professional if they notice:

• Sudden increase in fluid or bleeding

• Increased pain or redness

• Unpleasant odour from the wound

• Dressing becoming loose

• Device indicators not returning to normal

The pump contains a magnet and should be kept at least 10 cm away from certain implanted medical devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators.

Is PICO™ 7 Painful?

Most patients experience only a mild pulling sensation when therapy begins. Any ongoing pain should be discussed with a healthcare professional to ensure correct therapy settings and wound assessment.

Supporting Recovery Outside the Hospital

The PICO 7 system reflects the shift in modern wound care toward outpatient and home-based recovery. By combining portability with clinically proven NPWT principles, it helps patients maintain mobility and comfort while supporting effective wound healing.

At Medisa, we work closely with healthcare providers to support access to advanced wound care solutions used across hospitals, clinics, and home care environments throughout Australia.