Tom Parker and Colder Products Company (CPC) have brought their experience in the manufacture of connection devices to bear in a new field: cancer treatment
A new connector has been developed for Huddersfield-based Paxman Coolers, which produces hair loss prevention systems, aimed at reducing hair loss among chemotherapy patients.
For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, hair loss can be a distressing experience, in many cases leading to depression, withdrawal and even a refusal to continue with the chemotherapy.
One of the recognised ways of reducing hair loss is scalp cooling: by lowering the temperature of the scalp, there is a reduction in the amount of toxic drugs that reach the hair follicles.
Many cooling treatments, however, fail adequately to control scalp temperature and Paxman Coolers has worked hard to ensure that its hair loss prevention system will maintain a constant scalp temperature.
Each system is a compact, self-contained unit which efficiently circulates coolant to a cap worn on the patient's head.
The system is connected to the cap by CPC non-spill, quick-disconnect couplings, allowing the cap to be altered according to the size of each patient's head.
With previous couplings, coolant had remained in the device after disconnection, leading to spillages and additional work for nurses, so Paxman turned to Tom Parker and CPC to develop an advanced connector.
This resulted in a custom-made version of the RPN non-spill coupling which incorporates a unique shut-off valve to prevent spillage on disconnection, no matter which way up the couplings are held.
Traditional pre-cooled gel caps are often cumbersome and their low temperatures (-25C) unbearable for many patients.
They gain heat rapidly once in contact with the scalp and need to be replaced frequently by medical staff to maintain temperature control.
Paxman's hair loss prevention systems are made of lightweight silicone and maintain the scalp at a constant temperature of 15C.
Each system is a compact, portable unit requiring minimum maintenance, enabling nurses to leave patients unattended during treatment.
The special RPN connectors, with their quick disconnect thumb latch and audible 'click', make the systems even more user-friendly and save staff valuable time.
These connectors are extremely reliable and provide excellent performance throughout the entire working life of the machine.
Richard Parker, managing director of Tom Parker, which distributes CPC products exclusively in the UK, is full of praise for the CPC couplings: "Colder Products is a world leader in the design and manufacture of controlled-performance connections and fittings.
"The company has an impressive reputation for innovation, reliability and outstanding performance and there is increasing demand for the whole range of CPC connectors.
"The development of this advanced connector to meet the requirements of this latest application was a significant step and is already proving to be extremely successful".
The Paxman family, with nearly 50 years' experience of refrigeration in the beverage industry, decided to design its own scalp cooling system after first-hand experience of cancer and the devastation of chemotherapy treatment.
Its first commercial product was installed eight years ago and more than 400 are in use today in hospitals and oncology departments around the world.
Tom Parker is one of the largest distributors of quick-connect couplings in the UK, supplying pneumatic, hydraulic, water and gas applications.
It is the sole UK outlet for Colder Products, a world leader in the design of controlled-performance connections and fittings, supplying industries including chemical, medical, pharmaceutical and packaging.
