AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ — When KK Patton was prescribed multiple daily insulin injections to treat her diabetes in 2001, the Austin, Texas Mom discovered she didn't like the repeated skin punctures it required. She knew there had to be a better way, but when she couldn't find one she decided to invent one herself. As a result, Patton Medical Devices today announced the nationwide availability of the i-port(R), a discreet injection delivery device used in conjunction with a syringe or pen that allows for multiple daily injections without repeated skin punctures.

"When I first started taking multiple daily insulin injections, I felt like a pin cushion," said Catherine (KK) Patton, inventor of the i-port(R) and founder of Patton Medical Devices. "I knew there had to be a better way to manage my diabetes without the repeated needle sticks, and I knew that I was not the only person with diabetes who felt this way. So I came up with something better."

For people taking injection therapy who want to minimize the intrusion of injections on daily life, the i-port(R) is the only product of its kind conceived by a person with diabetes that offers a simple and convenient way to eliminate the need to puncture the skin with each dose of medication. Taking injectable medications may cause pain, bruising, discomfort or anxiety due to repeated skin punctures. For a person requiring four injections per day, the i-port(R) could reduce the total number of skin punctures from 120 per month to as few as 10 per month.

"For me, taking injections was like putting a gun to my head. I hated doing it, and as a result did not take my medicine as much as I needed to," said Patricia Valdez, who takes multiple insulin injections daily. "The i-port(R) has taken away all the anxiety and anticipation of puncturing my skin. It allows me to take my medication the way I'm supposed to."

Patricia's story is not uncommon. Results from a recent survey of 500 people with diabetes who require insulin showed that 83 percent would like to reduce the number of injections they have to give themselves each day, and 33 percent of respondents have experienced some level of dread relating to insulin injections. Additionally, more than 29 percent of individuals surveyed felt that injecting insulin was the hardest aspect of their diabetes care, and 47 percent would be more likely to administer their injections regularly if a product was available that would ease the pain and discomfort of injections. However, even though insulin injections had such an impact on these individuals, 52 percent do not proactively discuss their concerns regarding the physical and emotional aspects of injecting with their healthcare provider. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 24 million people in the U.S. with diabetes, and more than six million of them take injections of some kind as part or all of their treatment.(1)

"With millions of people taking injections to manage their diabetes, healthcare providers need as many options as possible to help make those injections easier so patients can get the full benefit of treatment," said Davida Kruger, MSN, APRN-BC-ADM. "For patients who are struggling with pain, bruising or hassle of daily injections, the i-port(R) is a great tool to help them appropriately manage their disease."

The i-port(R) is a small, circular, low-profile device about the size of a quarter. When the i-port(R) is applied, an insertion needle guides a tiny, flexible tube under the skin. Once applied, the insertion needle is removed and only the tiny soft tube remains below the skin, acting as the medication gateway into the subcutaneous tissue. An adhesive layer keeps the small device in place. Once on the skin, the needle of a syringe or insulin pen is used to deliver medication. The needle remains above the surface of the skin, delivering the medication through the tiny soft tube of the i-port(R) and into the subcutaneous tissue — without puncturing the skin. Similar to a bandage, the i-port(R) is so small, that once applied most people don't even notice it's in place.

ABOUT THE i-port(R)

The i-port(R) was cleared by the FDA in September 2005 for patients who administer, or to whom is administered, multiple daily subcutaneous injections of physician-prescribed medications, including insulin. It may be used on a wide range of patients, including adults and children. The i-port(R) aims to improve the health and quality of life of people taking injectable medications like insulin and may be a helpful treatment delivery tool for anyone who wants to alleviate the hassle or discomfort associated with daily injections. For more information about the i-port(R), visit www.i-port.com.

ABOUT CATHERINE (KK) PATTON

Catherine (KK) Patton is an Austin, Texas mom with type 1 diabetes. As a result of her diagnosis, KK became overwhelmed by the number of shots she had to administer every day, and began to control her disease by limiting her meals as a means to avoid injecting insulin regularly. Although KK did not have a fear of needles, she did fear the pain and bruising caused by puncturing her skin. After other treatment options to ease the hassle of the injections failed, KK knew there had to be a better way to manage her disease. Unwilling to allow her struggle with diabetes to control her life, KK became determined to create a device that would meet her medical need while having a minimal impact on her active lifestyle. After speaking with thought leaders, her diabetes educator and other patients, KK invented the i-port(R). Armed with her new technology and motivation to make a difference in the lives of people with insulin-dependent diabetes, she founded Patton Medical Devices in 2004.

ABOUT PATTON MEDICAL DEVICES

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Patton Medical Devices is the manufacturer of the i-port(R) Injection Port. For people taking injection therapy who want to minimize the intrusion of injections on daily life, the i-port(R) is the only product conceived by a person with diabetes that offers a simple, convenient way to eliminate the need to puncture the skin with each dose of medication. The i-port(R) lets patients focus on living their lives instead of the challenges associated with the next shot. For more information about Patton Medical Devices, its products and services, visit www.i-port.com or www.pattonmd.com.

(1) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Diabetes Fact Sheet: United States, 2007. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2007.pdf.

Media Contacts: Doug Hochstedler Nicole Carp

212-798-9724 212.798.9753

SOURCE Patton Medical Devices

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