Blue Sky Medical

Blue Sky Medical was a medical device company specializing in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) technology. The company developed and marketed the Versatile 1 (V1) system, a cost-effective alternative to dominant NPWT products for treating chronic and acute wounds. Blue Sky Medical was notably involved in significant patent litigation with Kinetic Concepts Inc. (KCI) regarding the foundational technology of vacuum-assisted closure. In 2007, the company was acquired by Smith & Nephew for approximately $110 million, significantly expanding Smith & Nephew's presence in the advanced wound management market. The acquisition included the Vista and V1 NPWT pumps and associated dressing kits. This move allowed Smith & Nephew to compete directly in the high-growth NPWT sector using Blue Sky's gauze-based Chariker-Jit technique.