Although patient needs in the hospital room may not be not quite so immediate as those in the operating theater, they can still be quite pressing. There is an outfit in San Antonio that addresses the requirements of the healing patient with a series of special beds and "negative pressure wound therapy" dressings.

Kinetic Concepts (NYSE: KCI) makes lines of therapeutic and wound care products for acute and long-term care facilities, home health agencies and individuals. The firm's therapeutic surfaces include specialty hospital beds, mattress replacement systems and overlays. They are designed to address pulmonary complications associated with immobility, prevent skin breakdown and assist caregivers in the safe handling of obese patients. The company's wound healing and tissue repair systems use a vacuum assisted closure technology to treat trauma wounds, failed surgical closures, amputations and serious pressure ulcers.

The firm surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q2 EPS of 81 cents and revenues of $396.7 million. Analysts had been looking for 74 cents and $374.7 million. Management also guided FY07 EPS to $3.10-$3.20 ($3.10 consensus) and FY07 revenues to $1.56-$1.59 billion ($1.54B consensus).