BRAIDLOCK^(r): Securing Lifelines^(r)

5. Defence Orders

Chris MacNeil — 2008-06-18T22:20:28Z

As the BRAIDLOCK^(r) is much lighter and easier to secure than incumbent line fixation methods, it is ideal for medics and highly mobile medical units in the Armed Forces.

Each device comes double-pouched and remains sterile, regardless of how hostile the environment might be.

We are presently discussing with a number of Defence organisations the possibility of supplying to them an a NATO number is pending. For more information please contact us.

2. The Case for Line Securement

Chris MacNeil — 2008-05-22T17:23:31Z

According to Nursing Management Magazine (May 2005), over 200,000,000 peripheral I.V. cannulas are inserted into patients every year in the US. The majority of these are at risk from dislodgement as they are secured with traditional tape-and-membrane dressings.

Each dislodgement results in new supplies required to re-secure the line, troubleshooting and re-securement time. Each procedure to resecure an IV can cost USD $30, and the impact to health care in general can be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

The costs borne by addressing infection or other issue attributable to securement failure can dramatically eclipse time and materials - in the U.S. this presently exceeds USD $2.3 billion (Healthcare Purchasing News, 2006).

In a percentage of patients who undergo surgery and have drains sited, a number of complications involving their drains may slow clinical progress. Drains may become displaced - or either completely or partially withdrawn - and therefore can become ineffective.

These patients will have to undergo another procedure - possibly under anaesthesia - to replace the drain. This involves senior medical staff and can be problematic, having the potential to prolong patients' hospitalisation, or prolong the time spent in an ICU (Intensive Care Unit) bed. Any one of these options poses a costly solution.

Traditionally, drains are held in place by tape and suture. If drains secured by conventional methods require adjustment, the original fixation will require replacement and furthermore the removal of a drain will require tape to be removed and anchoring sutures to be excavated from their position in the skin.

Securement by tape contributes to potential skin damage, can obscure the wound site and may even mask a drain that has migrated completely from its internal position leaving it positioned under the tape dressing and on top of the skin, rendering it useless.

The best initial judgement of tube position is made by external review (an x-ray is normally required to establish the exact position of drains in situ and to monitor improvements in any pathology). A drain which has moved position or has come out completely may be masked by any covering dressings and may not be discovered until the dressings are removed.

The time which passes during this period is frequently unrecorded, but anecdotally it is a period of many - often critical - minutes. If a drain becomes displaced unknowingly, a considerable amount of valuable clinical time may have elapsed before an effective clinical decision has been made and can become the cause of most access-related complications: infiltration, phlebitis, occlusia. Furthermore any adjustments to malposition / removal of drains previously sited normally involves another medical procedure.

Different surgeons appear to prefer different methods to attach drains and there do appear to be different problems with the use of the various methods, with no real, quick and easy procedure. We have identified that there was certainly an unmet clinical need for a standard method of securement that could be quick and simple to use and would ensure securement without the problems previously encountered.

Based on the principle of the "Chinese finger trap", we have developed a device to address drain securement problems. This device is made from a polyester braided construction that is put over the drain, or any other tube that needs to be inserted. It holds the drain in place without being able to slide and provides an unobstructed view of the wound site at the point of entry whilst allowing for easy adjustment and easy removal of the whole set. It is latex-free and minimises damage to the skin and general patient discomfort.

A recent study at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London, UK found that in 96% of cases, the device was "easily installed" and lasted on average 2.4 days each until they were removed under planned and controlled circumstances. There were no complications as a result of using the BRAIDLOCK^(r) device.

4. Finding Us Online

Chris MacNeil — 2008-05-22T13:29:23Z

SULL Limited offers an exciting environment which celebrates both innovative products and new methods of keeping our growing customer and partner audiences informed of company developments.

In addition to this web site, email and other traditional means of communicating with us, we do promote our messages using a variety of other online tools.

This web site will always have the most information on it, so if you do not belong to any of the web sites below, then you will not be missing out! Please note, however, that use of the sites referenced below is at your own risk and that we do not provide support for them. Also, we have no control over certain content which may appear on them.

Visit us on...

@BRAIDLOCK or #lifelines

Add us to your profiles on...

Mobile web...

Our web site is optimised to view on many mobile devices and smart phones. The graphic to the left appears on some of our print literature. Most 3G and 4G-enabled mobile devices, particularly in Europe and Japan will recognise this icon, which acts as a web browser "Bookmark" to our web site.

Our Domain Names

The only domain names we presently use to publish genuine company information or in our communications (email and otherwise) with you are: sull-ltd.co.uk and braidlock.com. If we use other domains in the future, we will list them here.

Stay alert! If you receive communications from a domain not listed here or are concerned about any communication that appears to come from us, it may not be genuine. Please contact us immediately.

4. Aid Orders

Chris MacNeil — 2008-05-21T17:46:38Z

As the BRAIDLOCK^(r) is smaller, lighter and more easily transportable than incumbent securement methods, it is of particular interest to the Land / Air Ambulance and Foreign Aid communities.

We are prepared to advise on and supply our full range of devices in harsh and unfavourable environments including:

disaster zones
areas affected by major incidents
populations undergoing controlled migration

We are presently seeking the permits required by many organisations involved in the above scenarios. For further information please contact us.

3. Asia / Pacific Orders

Chris MacNeil — 2008-05-21T17:32:23Z

Currently all orders from the Asia / Pacific region, and requests for distribution rights are handled by our London office. Please contact us for more information.

1. Privacy Policy

Stéphane Moreau — 2008-04-12T16:48:53Z

What we collect

During your visit to this website we may collect personal information about you such as your email address, your name and your telephone number.

On occasions we may conduct online surveys and if we do we may collect certain other demographic information about you such as your employer's address, specific job information and your age.

We may also collect information about your visit to our website, including the pages you view, the links that you click on and other actions taken within our website.

We also collect certain standard information that your browser sends to every website you visit, such as your IP address, browser type and language, access times and referring website addresses.

Why we collect it

We collect and use your personal information to communicate with you and tell you about our products, events and occasional other company information.

We may use it to send emails to you and information such as a monthly enewsletter. We may use it to provide services to you that you have specifically requested from us or to deliver products to you that you have ordered from us.

Who we share your information with

We do not sell, rent or lease the information we collect to any third parties and we do not use or disclose information of a sensitive nature without firstly obtaining your explicit consent.

We may share your information with other like-minded organisations so that they may send you information that might be of interest to you but we will not do so unless you have consented to us sharing your information in this way.

We also share your information with those companies that we contract with to provide services on our behalf, such as handling the printing, processing and delivery of mailings or analysis of the data we collect. We will only provide these companies with the personal information they require to deliver these services to you and on the understanding that your personal information is maintained confidentially and securely and that it is used only for purposes that you have consented to.

We may access and/or disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by operation of law or in good faith, if we believe that such disclosure is necessary to conform with the law or comply with any legal process served on us or this website, and to protect and safeguard our rights and our property or in urgent circumstances to safeguard users of our website, our services and members of the public.

Control of your personal information

You may choose not to have your personal information used in any of the ways described in this privacy policy. Where your personal information is collected you will often be given the opportunity to give or refuse your consent to certain uses of your personal information.

If at any time you wish to have your personal information removed from our records, or you wish us to stop using your personal information in certain ways then please write to:

Company Secretary
Chatham House
Bowling Green Close
Putney, London
SW15 3TE
UK

Security of your personal information

We use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your personal information from unauthorised access, use or disclosure. We store personal information you provide on computer systems that have limited access and which are located in secure facilities.

Unfortunately, security of information transmitted over the internet cannot be guaranteed and therefore if you choose to provide us with any of your information you do so at your own risk and you will not hold us liable for any loss that you might suffer as a result.

Cookies

During the course of your visit to our website, the pages you see, along with a "cookie", are downloaded to your computer. We do this because cookies enable us to do useful things such as find out whether you have visited our website before by checking to see, and finding, the cookie we left there on your previous visit.

Cookies help us to provide you with a better experience when you visit our website as well as helping us to customise your profile.

What is a cookie?

A cookie is a small text file containing a random and unique identifier (for example #12489).

This text file is sent to your browser from our web server and it is then stored onto your computer's hard drive. You can elect to accept all cookies, receive notification when a cookie is sent or decline all cookies.

Remember, any alterations to your browser settings may affect your enjoyment of our website.

3. FAQs

Chris MacNeil — 2008-02-22T17:42:32Z

Your questions answered...
The following questions and answers represent the most common issues our raised in sales meetings.

What is it?
The BRAIDLOCK^(r) is a specially-braided tube which allows for the quick and easy securement of a medical line or drain to a patient, and its simple adjustment by trained clinicians. It is designed to replace the incumbent options (usually plaster and gauze) which do not secure lines as securely as is often required.

How does it work?
The BRAIDLOCK^(r) affixes lines, drains and catheters to a patient more securely than any incumbent option. The diameter of the BRAIDLOCK^(r) expands when the device is compressed, similar to a "Chinese finger trap". A line can then be inserted through it and into the body. When decompressed, the BRAIDLOCK^(r) squeezes the line tightly and securely.
Our device is unique as it allows for the quick and easy adjustment of any line at any time, by any qualified clinician.

What medical situations can BRAIDLOCK^(r) be used in?
Our device can be used for any line or catheter that needs to be secured. Currently, BRAIDLOCK^(r) is available in a range of sizes from 5 Fr to 36 Fr, although we hope to expand the range and therefore the operative procedures that the device can be used in. Conceptually there is no line currently being used in medical practice to airways, epidurals, naso gastric tubes, irrigation sets, and more, that the device will not work on.

Can the BRAIDLOCK^(r) be accidentally adjusted?
No. It requires the device to be consciously compressed for movement to occur and released to provide grip.

Can tape be applied?
Yes. The device does not preclude best practice and fitting tape around the distel end of the device can be used to indicate current position. However, the device itself provides sufficient securement without the need for additional taping.

Is it reusable?
NO. The BRAIDLOCK^(r) is a single-patient use device. That is, whilst it allows for the adjustment of a line it is already securing (competitive products do not do this), once its purpose on a patient is met, the device must be disposed of in an appropriate clinical waste container.

Can they be cleaned in situ?
Yes. Use conventional cleaning materials, saline water, alcohol solutions, etc.

Is there an increased risk of infection?
No. Independent infection control experts have confirmed that the device poses no additional risk of infection. Moreover, the BRAIDLOCK^(r) is currently being assessed in controlled environments to determine whether infection may actually be reduced through its use.

Are custom orders possible?
Yes. Custom orders are available whether the requirement is for multiple sizes, a new size not currently in stock, or minor modifications to the product (please contact us for more information).

How can I order / buy?
Please find a distributor near you to place an order.

How can I help promote BRAIDLOCK^(r)?
First of all, thank you for your interest and confidence in our product. It is a revolutionary approach to solving a serious and costly problem that clinicians worldwide face. We would be delighted if you would forward our web site address to your colleagues; our address is http://www.BRAIDLOCK.com.
Additionally, we welcome all media enquiries. Press can find valuable resources in our Media Room link above.

Finally, some users prefer to add our link to social bookmarking sites (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Del.icio.us, Digg and others); we have added a button on the bottom of every page to simplify this.

10. Education

Chris MacNeil — 2008-02-22T17:31:57Z

Customer Training

BRAIDLOCK^(r)'s after-sales support includes a range of video learning or onsite training on the use of the full product range. Courses are delivered either online, via a short video presentation or, for larger staff groups, our instructors will present in person.

Typically courses include the following topics:

Fixation of suture, VELCRO^(r) and plaster devices
Device adjustment
Removal of devices
Special considerations
Use of the BRAIDLOCK^(r) in infection control

Approx time: 60 minutes

Teaching Hospitals

We offer a limited amount of resources in support of nurses and clinicians at teaching hospitals to be used strictly for educational purposes. Such resources include free samples, seminar presentations and clinician speaking engagements.

Please contact us for more information.

9. Video

Chris MacNeil — 2008-02-22T17:31:20Z

This short (3 minute) video demonstrates BRAIDLOCK^(r), its use and range of functionality. It also shows how to use the BRAIDLOCK^(r), comparing it to traditional line securement methods:

To order BRAIDLOCK^(r) please contact your nearest distributor here.

Some office environments don't allow access to online videos. If you cannot see or hear these videos, please contact us for support.

You can also watch this video directly in YouTube, add comments, and subscribe to the SULLLTD channel.

8. Specialities

Chris MacNeil — 2008-02-22T17:30:36Z

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BRAIDLOCK^(r)'s usage: The BRAIDLOCK^(r) may be used in no fewer than 12 points on the human body.

Owing to the BRAIDLOCK^(r)'s availabilty in a range of sizes and fixation options, it is a uniquely flexible device allowing for securement of IV drips, lines, catheters and drains.

It has been approved for use on men and women and in a wide range of ages from infants to the elderly. (Please click on the image to the left for a detailed view.)

Current known applicability includes:

Airways
Arterial lines
Central Lines
Chest drains and tubes
Epidural lines
Feeding Tubes
IV Lines
Leg lines
Long lines
Nasogastric tubes
Neck lines
PICC Lines
Surgical Drains
Umbilical lines
Urinary catheters
Venous lines
Wound drains

Sample areas of care include:

Critical Care, line control
Cardiac Care, diagnostic catheter and line control
Intensive Care, line control
Urology and Plastic Surgery, drain line control and line securement

Have you successfully used a BRAIDLOCK^(r) in another way? Please contact us and let us know your experience.

BRAIDLOCK(r): Securing Lifelines(r)