How Cork Medical Redefined Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with the Invention of the Versa

In the world of wound care, innovation doesn’t always come in the form of something new, it often comes in making something better. For Cork Medical, that meant reimagining negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) from the ground up. The result? Versa—a compact, affordable, and full-featured NPWT device that’s redefining accessibility and usability in modern wound care.

With 10+ years of NPWT experience, the Cork Medical team designed the Versa to be the first affordable NPWT device that facilities can use as a first-choice healing option, eliminating NPWT’s cost prohibitive ideology and instead recognizing it as an affordable, advanced wound care solution for a facility or home care setting.

The Inspiration Behind the Versa’s Creation

Nearly two decades ago, Cork Medical CEO Patrick McGinley set out to revolutionize the wound care industry. His focus was to improve lives through innovative wound care solutions. He achieved this by providing patients with fast, reliable wound care solutions; healthcare providers with cutting-edge products to promote better healing outcomes; and distributors with cost-effective NPWT products.

In recent years, the need for NPWT has grown significantly due to its proven effectiveness in promoting wound healing. However, widespread adoption has been limited. The primary barrier? NPWT is often associated with high-costs, making it financially challenging for many healthcare providers to implement.

“There was a noticeable gap in the market,” says Cork Medical CEO Patrick McGinley. “Clinicians were looking for a compact, easy-to-use NPWT pump that didn’t compromise on performance—but most importantly, one that was affordable.”

That unmet need sparked a pivotal conversation between McGinley and Cork Medical Clinical Engineer Matt Cranfill. Their vision was to build a device that would be cost-effective, carry a smaller footprint, be as sleek and mobile as a cellular device, and still deliver the robust clinical benefits of traditional NPWT devices. That conversation became the cornerstone of the Versa project.

Turning an Innovative Idea into a Viable Solution

With the idea of a cost-effective and easy to use device solidified, the Cork Medical engineering and manufacturing team began the process of turning an idea into a reality. As with most new product designs, it always starts out with creating a “wish list.”

A few essential requests on the wish list were:

• A device with a footprint comparable to an iPhone, yet powerful enough to support Cork Medical’s full range of wound dressing accessories.

• A device that would cost a fraction of the traditional NPWT devices on the market.

• A versatile device that can be single-use or up to multiple uses, reducing the need for expensive capital investments.

• A device equipped with advanced features like multiple continuous mode settings, variable intermittent therapy, and high-power capability.

• A device that provides the flexibility clinicians need and ease of use facilities demand.

• A device that allows increased independence and comfort at home while providing discrete mobility and easy handling for patients.

However, translating these visions into a functioning device was not without challenges. One of the biggest engineering hurdles was packing the full functionality of a traditional NPWT system into such a small form factor. The solution came through innovative partnerships with new vendors who supplied cutting-edge, miniaturized technology, enabling Cork Medical to maintain performance without compromising portability.

Designing with a Patient-First Mindset

What sets Versa apart isn’t just the technology, it’s the thoughtful design driven by real-world feedback from clinicians and patients. Before the team began designing the first prototypes, they sought feedback from those who currently struggle with their current wound care program.

“Healthcare providers told us loud and clear: they wanted a lower-cost, full-featured NPWT device they could use more freely as a first-line treatment,” Cranfill explains. “And their patients told them they wanted a device that was discreet, lightweight, and easy to manage.”

Receiving this input shaped everything from the Versa’s user interface to its compact design. The goal was to create a system that delivered medical efficacy with everyday usability, ensuring clinicians could easily operate it and patients could comfortably wear it.

“We focused on usability from the start,” Cranfill adds. “Then we engineered around that vision to deliver a device that was both powerful and practical.”

As a result of designing with this mindset, the Versa:

• Promotes User Friendly Experiences. The Versa doesn’t run on a power cord, instead it takes just three easily replaceable AA Lithium batteries, making it easy for patients and clinicians to service the equipment whenever needed. The Versa also operates off an intuitive one-button display. This feature both simplifies the operation and minimizes user errors.

• Offers Top Clinical Solutions. Meeting the FDA standards, Versa delivers the same optimal healing outcomes as traditional NPWT systems. It also features continuous and intermittent modes, precise pressure control, on-screen troubleshooting instructions—a standard for traditional NPWT systems—and uses standard wound dressings for seamless transitions.

• Reduces Service Interruptions. With its affordability and versatility, Versa can be used as a single-use device or up to multiple uses. This feature minimizes equipment downtime due to service needs and gives clinicians the fluidity of treating patients with new or slightly used equipment rather than old and used devices with a typical lifespan of 2-5 years.

A Device That Embodies Cork Medical’s Mission

Versa is more than a product, it’s a reflection of Cork Medical’s core mission: improving lives through innovation that meets the needs of a cost-conscious healthcare system without sacrificing clinical outcomes.

Both McGinley and Cranfill believe the Versa is just the beginning of how Cork Medical plans to transform the healthcare system. With its affordability, portability, and full-featured design, Versa opens the door for healthcare facilities—that might have previously been priced out of the market—to access NPWT on their financial terms.

“We see Versa continuing to capture market share as the healthcare industry embraces the need for accessible, effective solutions,” says McGinley.

What’s Next?

Looking to the future, Cork Medical is already thinking ahead. It’s anticipated that the next frontier in wound therapy will focus on streamlining dressing applications and reducing clinician time spent on treatment administration—making care even more efficient and user-friendly. With Versa, Cork Medical hasn’t just built a new device, we’ve set a new standard for what’s possible in wound care. And we’re just getting started.

Learn more about how the Versa can transform your wound care program here.