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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2010

Ankle & Foot Care Centers Invites Participants For Study of Device That Treats Diabetic Wounds

BOARDMAN, Ohio (March 29, 2010) – Ankle and Foot Care Centers, the region’s largest group of podiatrists, is inviting local diabetic patients to participate in a study of a palm-sized device that disperses oxygen to heal wounds.

The local podiatrists and Ogenix Corp., makers of the oxygen device, plan to recruit up to 30 individuals to wear the devices under their clothing to test the new treatment.

“We make it a point to get involved in research related to diabetic wounds,” said Dr. Lawrence A. DiDomenico, managing partner at Ankle & Foot Care Centers.

“This device is already approved by the Food & Drug Administration, but there is still much to be learned about how effective it is and how we can make it more effective.”

The device, called Epiflo, consists of a small, silent oxygen concentrator and a long, sterile tube. It draws oxygen from the air, concentrates it to near 100 percent and then pumps it slowly over a wound that is covered tightly by a dressing.

Patients can wear the Epiflo device beneath their clothing, near the wound, for 24 hours a day without affecting their own activities or the device.

“The oxygen encourages a moist environment and jump-starts the body’s natural healing processes,” Dr. DiDomenico said.

He and his colleagues are looking for individuals between 20 and 90 years of age who have a diabetic foot ulcer that has not healed after at least 30 days.

All participants will be equipped with an Epiflo device and a standard wound dressing, but half of the units will be non-working. The devices will be numbered, and neither the patients nor the podiatrists will know which devices are working.

The study lasts up to 12 weeks. The treatment is free to patients, and travel expenses will be reimbursed.

For more details about the study, contact Ankle & Foot Care Centers at (888) 881-8805.

Ankle & Foot Care Centers is the region’s largest podiatric care provider. Its 15 physicians and surgeons serve patients at 19 local offices, located in Alliance, Austintown, Boardman (2), Campbell, Champion, Columbiana, East Liverpool, East Palestine, Greenville (Pa.), Howland, Lake Milton, Liberty, Niles, Poland, Salem, Struthers, Warren and Youngstown. Specific locations and other information are located on the group’s website, at www.ankleandfootcare.com.

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For more information, contact:

Michael Vallas, Practice Administrator
Ankle & Foot Care Centers Inc.
(330) 758-6226 ext. 207
mike@ankleandfootcare.com

Dan Pecchia
Pecchia Communications
(330) 720-6912
dan@pecchiacomm.com

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