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OXFORD HELP®

Head Elevating Laryngoscopy Pillow

Instructions For Use and Product Range

Information Before Use

Please read the instructions and cleaning protocols before use.

The Oxford HELP® and all Alma Medical patient support devices are X-RAY translucent.

The Oxford HELP® and all Alma Medical patient support devices are free of natural Latex.

The Oxford HELP® and all Alma Medical patient support devices are safe for use in magnetic resonance imaging procedures.

Do not allow sharp objects near the Oxford HELP® or any Alma Medical patient support device.


The Oxford HELP® and all Alma Medical patient support devices are made by Alma Foam Converters Ltd in the United Kingdom. Alma Medical is a trading name of Alma Foam Converters Ltd.

Moving and Handling

 

 

  1. The Oxford HELP® may stay in place during surgery.
  2. The Oxford HELP® must not be used as a transfer aid. This will damage the pillow.
  3. Patient supports, attachments and straps must be used to stabilise the patient

6. If the stability of the patient is in doubt, stop and check.

 

The Oxford HELP® is registered as a class I medical device with the MHRA in the United Kingdom. Australia TGA certificate number 333096 and New Zealand 200402-WAND-6UFFTL.

Oxford HELP® Introduction

The patient has a BMI of 49.2 and is conventionally positioned on a hospital pillow.

The airway is misaligned because:

  1. There is a steep gradient between the tragus and the sternal notch.
  2. The thyromental distance is reduced.
  3. The cricoid space is reduced and access is difficult.

 

The patient is now positioned on the Oxford HELP® and the airway is now optimised and aligned.

  1. The gradient between the tragus and the sternal notch is close to 0º.
  2. The thyromental distance has increased.
  3. The cricoid space has increased and access is easier.

 

Clinical Uses:

  1. Obese patients
  2. Difficult airways
  3. Rapid sequence inductions
  4. Regional anaesthesia
  5. Spontaneous respiration
  6. Intensive care, emergency care, recovery and radiology
  7. Obstetric patients*

 

*Caesarean section patients, emergency and elective, may be placed on the Oxford HELP®. In the event of sudden conversion
from a regional to general anaesthetic, the patient is already optimally positioned on the Oxford HELP®.

The table may require temporary
adjustment to achieve a satisfactory level of block.

Clinical Benefits:

  1. Improved laryngoscopy
  2. Easier manual ventilation
  3. Higher FRC and Vt
  4. Increased patient comfort
  5. Lower risk of aspiration
  6. Easy cricoid access
  7. Comfortable working area

 

Oxford HELP® Positioning the Patient

Place the OXH193 Oxford HELP® Base Pillow on the operating table. Draw/slide sheet should not be placed over the pillow.

Support the back of the OXH193 Oxford HELP® Base Pillow during patient positioning.

Place the OXH189 Oxford Headrest as shown, positioning to base of neck.

Align shoulder with OXH193 Oxford HELP® Base Pillow arrow.

If the airway position is not optimised, consider using the OXH186 Oxford HELP® Plus Pillow.

Oxford HELP® Supporting the Patient’s Arms: OXH190 Oxford Arm Supports

These supports are added to your existing operating table arm boards. They are designed to keep the arms level with the elevated torso to avoid brachial plexus strain on abduction.

The OXH400 Oxford HELP® Set B is the entry level system supplied with OXH190 Oxford Arm Supports.


Instructions for use

Remove the pad, supplied from your existing arm board.

Place the OXH190 Oxford Arm Support on your arm board.

Place the OXH191 Arm Straps provided around the arm board, support and patient’s arm.

Adjust the straps until they are comfortably securing the arms.
*Do not over tighten the straps.

Oxford HELP® Supporting the Patient’s Arms: OXH390 Universal Ramping Arm Supports

Supplied in pairs, these supports provide a complete arm support solution for use with the Oxford HELP® sets. The longer bar of the OXH390 Universal Ramping Arm Support means it can be securely raised to the top of the OXH193 Oxford HELP® Base Pillow or the OXH186 Oxford HELP® Plus Pillow, safely supporting the patient’s arms. The bars on these supports will fit any existing operating table and clamps.

The OXH500 Oxford HELP® Set C can be customised. Exchange OXH190 Oxford Arm Supports for OXH390 Universal Ramping Arm Supports.


Instructions for use

Clamp the OXH390 Universal Ramping Arm Support level with the top of the OXH193 Oxford HELP® Base Pillow.

Place the OXH191 Arm Straps provided, around the arm support and patient’s arm.

Adjust the straps until they are comfortably securing the arms.
*Do not over tighten the straps.

Oxford HELP® Sets A, AXL, A Plus and B

OXH300 Set A

For all difficult or compromised airways in operating rooms, ITU, A&E and other clinical locations.
Supplied in an OXH3000 soft deployment bag.

OXH350 Set A Plus

For higher BMI patients (typically 50+). The set includes the
OXH186 Oxford HELP® Plus Pillow, an additional pillow if further elevation is required to achieve an optimised airway.
Supplied in an OXH3000 soft deployment bag.

OXH325 Set AXL

The OXH300 Set A, with the addition of our OXH790 Extra Large Arm Retainers and an OXH590 Tube Holder. This system is ideal for high BMI patients who require interventional procedures in cardiology and radiology.
Supplied in an OXH3000 soft deployment bag.

OXH400 Set B

Optimal set for obstetric and general anaesthesia. The OXH195 Oxford Sinus knee support improves patient comfort and prevents risk of neural injury from hyperextension of the knee (fig 1). Supplied in an OXH3000 soft deployment bag.

The OXH189 Oxford Headrest can be used alone as a replacement to hospital pillows, providing a hygienic standard headrest, that can be relied on every time.

Oxford HELP® Sets BL, C and D

OXH450 Set BL

This system has been developed for urology and gynaecology. The addition of the OXH295 Oxford Semi Sinus provides extra protection for larger BMI patients in lithotomy (fig 2).
Supplied in an OXH3000 soft deployment bag.

OXH500 Set C

For higher BMI patients. This system includes the OXH190 Oxford Arm Supports and the OXH195 Oxford Sinus. The inclusion of the OXH186 HELP® Plus Pillow makes this system one of the most versatile. Supplied in an OXH6000 wheeled deployment case.

OXH600 Set D

A comprehensive support system for hyper-obese surgical patients. Extra patient supports include the OXH200 Oxford Arm Support Plus, which can be positioned on top of the OXH190 Oxford Arm Support (fig 3). Two OXH196 Oxford Cuneo scapula supports are also provided to prevent risk of neural injury to the brachial plexus (fig 4).
Supplied in an OXH6000 wheeled deployment case.

All the Oxford HELP® sets are supplied in either a soft or hard shell deployment case.

Oxford Prone Pillow Range and Accessories

OXH297 Standard, OXH397 Large and OXH497 Large Extra Wide Prone Pillow.

For patients requiring prone procedures in general surgery and radiology. Wipe-clean and lightweight.

OXH197 Obstetric Lateral Wedge

This wedge will provide accurate 15º lateral tilt quickly in obstetric theatres, when needed. This versatile patient positioner is also ideal for transvaginal use during ultrasound scanning. It enables better patient positioning when using a non-tilting examination couch.

OXH690 Standard Arm Retainers

The OXH790 Extra Large Arm Retainers are 4 times larger than standard arm supports. They are produced for use with bariatric patients.

Oxford HELP® Components

OXH189 Oxford Headrest

OXH193 Oxford HELP® Base Pillow

OXH189 Oxford Headrest Plus Pillow

OXH390 Universal Ramping Arm Supports (pair)

OXH200 Oxford Arm Supports Plus (pair)

OXH190 Oxford Arm Supports (pair)

OXH191 Arm Straps (pair)

Oxford HELP® Components, Accessories and Operating Table Mattresses

OXH196 Oxford Cuneo (pair)

OXH295 Oxford Semi Sinus (pair)

OXH195 Oxford Sinus

OXH590 Tube Holder
Universal breathing system support 22mm and 15mm.

OXH6000 Wheeled Deployment Case
Fits Oxford HELP® Sets OXH450BL*, OXH400*, OXH500 & OXH600.
*Not as standard, supplied at additional cost.

OXH3000 Soft Deployment Bag
Fits Oxford HELP® Sets OXH300, OXH325AXL, OXH350, OXH400 & OXH450BL.

OXH7000 Replacement Operating Table Mattresses
Alma Medical can replace mattresses for all types of operating tables.

Alma Medical can manufacture any type of patient support device made to your specifications.
Call us on +44 (0)1865 594300 or email info@almamedical.com and tell us your requirements.

The Oxford HELP® is referenced in numerous textbooks,
UK obstetric GA algorithms and NAP4.

Alma Medical provide educational posters and booklets with all our products. Instructional DVDs are also available.

Please call our educational helpline on +44 (0)1865 594300 for more information.

A safer anaesthetic, every anaesthetic

For more information call +44 (0)1865 760424, email info@almamedical.com

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