At Methapharm, we manage a variety of products and find ourselves increasingly reliant on technology to streamline or supplement our processes. We aim to be judicious with our resources and enlist the aid of technology when opportune. From distributing cutting-edge products to building engaging educational content, a provider portal, and geolocator, we strive to deploy technology that truly enhances care for patients and properly supports providers.

Methapharm imports and distributes domestic and international products to the North American market, such as Asclera®. Although a distributor at our core, we truly see ourselves as stewards, and are heavily invested, both financially (and often emotionally!) in our products’ success. When we became the distribution partner for Kreussler with Asclera, we not only gave the brand a facelift, but we also focused on engaging educational content geared toward clinicians. This involved a plethora of webinars, workshops involving sclero trainers, portable ultrasounds, and most recently, we made our first foray into the podcast world, with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Below image shows Clarius portable ultrasound used by our Senior Clinical Advisors.

Beyond the products themselves, Methapharm has demonstrated a commitment to comprehensive user support by creating a dedicated provider ordering portal for both Asclera and ScleroSafe. This portal can easily be found on the asclera.com website, which is a tremendous repository of information for both physicians and patients, offering training materials, Q&As, videos, and more. Importantly, patients can find providers within their geography through an intuitive geolocator, and clinicians can make sure their practices are listed there for further visibility and selection. The ordering portal allows users to generate orders for Asclera or ScleroSafe at their convenience.

We welcome anyone interested to visit asclera.com and sclerosafeus.com to check out the resources therein for themselves.

We have asked our customers what they like and dislike about compression socks; and while they enjoy the benefits of improved blood and lymphatic flow (1), reduced edema (2), etc, the top two dislikes were clear: they can be (1) too hot and (2) difficult to put on. Additionally, since the global pandemic, consumers have increasingly favored versatile, comfortable clothing that fits into all aspects of their daily lives. At SIGVARIS GROUP^®, we’ve been listening to our customers and innovating textile solutions for more than 160 years. That’s why we set out to develop a product that addresses all these concerns: comfort, ease of use, and adaptability.

Meet Flow Tech^®. This innovative sock in the Sigvaris^® Motion product portfolio was designed to provide all-day comfort for work and play. It utilizes multiple MeshLink™ zones that provide maximum airflow to the parts of the foot and leg that generate the most heat. These zones are a series of interconnected channels made with SENSIL^® Aquarius moisture-wicking yarns, starting at the bottom of the foot and extending up the back of the calf. They create a pathway that draws moisture upward, while the breathable mesh allows it to evaporate, carrying heat away from the leg. This addresses the first complaint by creating a cooler sock that is comfortable for all-day wear. As for the second complaint, we added a mesh-flex zone across the instep, which reduces the force needed to slide the sock over the heel and onto the ankle, typically the most difficult part of putting on compression socks.

Of course, creating a sock with all this functionality was not enough; it needed to look great to provide the versatility that our customers sought. We designed Flow Tech with functionality at its core, making the MeshLink technology the aesthetic focus, and we developed eight gorgeous colors to provide our customers with more options to complement their lifestyles.

Flow Tech, named for its optimized air and moisture flow, is a product that flows seamlessly from setting to setting. Join the thousands of customers who have already taken their compression to the next level with Sigvaris Motion Flow Tech!

References

1. 1.  Partsch H. Compression therapy: Clinical and experimental evidence. Ann Vasc Dis. Vol 5, No.4; 2012; pp 416-422.
2. Rabe E, Földi E, Gerlach H, et al. Medical compression therapy of the extremities with medical compression stockings (MCS), phlebological compression bandages (PCB), and medical adaptive compression systems (MAC) : S2k guideline of the German Phlebology Society (DGP) in cooperation with the following professional associations: DDG, DGA, DGG, GDL, DGL, BVP. Hautarzt. 2021 Dec;72(Suppl 2):37-50. doi: 10.1007/s00105-020-04706-z. Epub 2021 Jan 1. PMID: 33386416; PMCID: PMC8692288.

Sigvaris, SIGVARIS GROUP, and Flow Tech are registered trademarks of SIGVARIS AG, CH-9014 St.Gallen/Switzerland, in many countries worldwide. MeshLink is a trademark of SIGVARIS AG, CH-9014 St.Gallen/Switzerland, in many countries worldwide. © Copyright 2025 SIGVARIS, Inc. SENSIL is a registered trademark of Nilit. All rights reserved.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) significantly impacts the quality of life for millions of people by manifesting symptoms like leg pain, swelling, and fatigue. As the venous system’s valves fail to facilitate proper blood flow, proper interventions are crucial (1). Chronic impairment of these anatomical functions can lead to CVI, a condition marked by inadequate circulation and potential complications, including swelling, discomfort, and even changes in the skin in the affected areas, potentially leading to tissue breakdown and the development of venous leg ulcers (2). Medical professionals often recommend compression garments to manage CVI, yet user feedback suggests that many of these traditional solutions pose significant usability challenges.

A recent pilot study aimed to evaluate patient experiences with the Aero-Wrap® Gradient Compression System (AWCS) against standard medical-grade compression garments. This three-tiered system offers customizable compression levels of up to 50 mm Hg, enhancing treatment for conditions such as lymphedema and venous leg ulcers. It incorporates a user-friendly design with adjustable straps, allowing patients to easily apply and adjust compression without caregiver assistance.

Fifteen participants, all using traditional compression garments, provided feedback through structured questionnaires. Results revealed that 80% expressed a desire to wear compression garments regularly; however, over half reported difficulties with the usability of their current options, citing challenges in donning, doffing, and overall comfort. In stark contrast, the AWCS received overwhelmingly positive remarks, with 93.3% of participants finding it easy to use and 87% preferring it over their usual garments.

The findings underscore the pressing need for innovative design in compression therapy, as enhanced usability could lead to higher patient adherence and better health outcomes. As we look toward larger studies, the AWCS presents a promising alternative in the realm of chronic venous insufficiency management, potentially transforming the patient’s experience and improving adherence in this vulnerable population.

1. Nicolaides A, Kakkos S, Eklof B, et al. Management of chronic venous disorders of the lower limbs – guidelines according to scientific evidence. Int Angiol 2014; 33: 87–208
2. Patel SK, Surowiec SM. Venous Insufficiency. [Updated 2024 Feb 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430975/

As an adjunct to anticoagulation, SVS/AVF guidelines support early removal of iliofemoral venous thrombosis in select patients to restore patency, preserve valvular function, and potentially decrease post-thrombotic morbidity (1). To remove venous clots, interventionalists are increasingly drawn to mechanical approaches that enable single-session treatment without the need for overnight thrombolytics. A notable challenge in doing so is removing thrombus of mixed morphology—fresh, loose clot combined with more organized and wall-adherent material. Most venous clots are composed of both types of material to varying degrees, even in patients with recent symptom onset (2).

To address this challenge, the most commonly used thrombectomy devices for peripheral veins rely primarily on either (a) powered suction, without vessel wall apposition for adherent clot, or (b) wall-apposed basket-retrieval systems without powered extraction. As a next-generation solution, the dual-action Pounce™ Venous Thrombectomy System combines powered extraction with operator-controlled wall apposition (Figure).

The system includes a wall-apposable basket for disruption of adherent clot and a powered rotational extraction screw within the basket that macerates clot and actively removes it from the patient. This combination enables rapid thrombus removal using a small (≥10 Fr) sheath and a 3-4 mm basket, whose short length minimizes contact with untargeted vasculature. The OTW Pounce Venous System, suitable for use in both lower and upper extremity veins 6-16 mm in diameter, is simple to use and requires no capital equipment.

The basket is dynamic, with a proprietary spring-tensioned design that allows it to self-adjust to vessel diameter to maintain wall contact. Operators may also manually control basket diameter, collapsing it to minimize wall apposition where desired (eg, in tight strictures) and re-expanding it for focal treatment.

Evidence supports the efficacy of the Pounce Venous System. In a prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter first-in-human study of the Pounce Venous System (3), the primary endpoint of complete or near-complete thrombus removal was obtained in all 19 subjects, with complete thrombus removal in most (based on primary end point clot removal success being SIR Grade II Lysis or better). These results were obtained with ≤3 device passes per patient. Post-thrombotic syndrome (Villalta scale ≥5) was identified in 17 of 19 patients at baseline, with 11 patients scored as severe (≥15). Among 11 of 15 subjects that completed their 12-month follow-up visit (COVID limited the ability to collect Villalta scores for 4 subjects), median Villalta score was 2 (range 0.5–3.0). No SAEs or device-related complications were reported.

In recent years, we have been inundated with novel venous thrombectomy devices. The dual-action Pounce Venous System is notable for its efficacy, efficiency, and simplicity of use. These attributes are critically important in an era of overburdened healthcare systems and decentralized care.

1. Meissner MH, Gloviczki P, Comerota AJ, et al. Early thrombus removal strategies for acute deep venous thrombosis: clinical practice guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Venous Forum. J Vasc Surg. 2012;55(5):1449-1462.
2. Czaplicki C, Albadawi H, Partovi S, et al. Can thrombus age guide thrombolytic therapy? Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. 2017;7(Suppl 3):S186.
3. Black SA, Thulasidasan N, Benton L, et al. Single-session mechanical thrombectomy for iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis using a dual mechanism of action device combining basket and rotational thrombectomy. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2024;12(5):101866.

Caution: Federal (US) law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. Please refer to Instructions for Use for indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions.