The key benefits of the latest design are:

• More efficient use of power.
• Smaller in size and lighter weight.
• More efficient use of raw materials.
• Easier access for replacement of batteries on the emergency lower version.

In the main A J Way will be supplying the PD I3 which has the emergency lower built in. Over the coming months the control box with batteries will be replaced by one without and from then the batteries will be included in the transformer. Until that time they will continue to be fitted to the control box as recommended by the manufacturer.

The PD 12 model will not be supplied because it is designed for use when no emergency lower is required by the customer and therefore has no compartment for the insertion of batteries.
These transformers will fit all Dewert's current motor systems and most spares issues can be resolved by direct replacement.

One thing that must be kept in mind for the future is that should you need to replace a control box on a chair which has an the old style transformer (Part No 47646 or earlier), it must be replaced with an old style MBK I(Part No 2BO 17) or MBK 2 (Part No 28487) as the old style of transformer is not compatible with the new style control box. Connecting a new style control box to an old style transformer will result in damage to the chair.

We will be keeping plenty of the old style control boxes in stock so that replacement parts should not be a cause for concern.

I trust that you will contact the sales office if you have any queries regarding the above changes.

It was a unanimous decision throughout the A J Way team in light of the continuing loyalty and hard work that Yorkshire Care Equipment have shown since becoming an A J Way distributor many, many years ago.  Caroline Christie, Sales Director at A J Way was delighted to present the award to Gordon, George and Tristan Hulbert on the Kirton A J Way stand on Wednesday 6th April and Gordon very kindly said that if they gave out a Supplier of the Year award he wouldn’t hesitate in giving it to A J Way.  A clear demonstration of the great relationship between these 2 companies, long may it continue!

 

The properties of Intelli-Gel enable it to retain its core temperature therefore it does not heat up when in use retaining its structure and reducing the susceptibility to tissue breakdown. The material is breathable and moisture does not build up at the skin/cushion interface reducing the propensity for shear stress and abrasion to negativity affect the skin.

Intelli-Gel is engineered using a technique called column buckling which means that each column can support a certain amount of weight until it buckles redistributing the pressure to surrounding columns. The pressure hotspots get a reduction in pressure which gives the low pressure areas the additional support they need. Intelli-Gel will adjust to each individuals needs regardless of weight or body shape.

In-house pressure mapping tests revealed that Intelli-Gel exhibited superior pressure redistributing qualities in comparison to other static pressure relieving materials including solid and liquid gels, 3D spacer fabric, water cushions, foam and visco-elastic foam combinations of varying densities.

External research at The Rehabilitation Engineering and Applied Research Lab (REAR) at Georgia Tech University indicated that the Intelli-Gel cushion provided significant pressure redistribution compared with foam and air-based cushions.

Further external research was undertaken by Fiona Collins of Tissue Viability Consultancy Services Ltd (2009) to ascertain the clinical efficacy of the Intelli-Gel cushion. This research was conducted on a small group of individuals with some existing pressure damage living at a nursing home. The Intelli-Gel cushion was used in conjunction with their existing armchair. All the participating subjects' skin showed significant improvement by day 14 of the trial. This trial indicates that the inclusion of an Intelli-Gel cushion can have significant impact on not only preventing but assisting in the healing of established pressure damage for extremely vulnerable people. Furthermore, the use of the Intelli-Gel cushion enabled all of the subjects to sit more comfortably, with an upright and symmetrical posture, for longer.

The Intelli-Gel seat modules are an option for those users at high to very high risk of pressure related problems and for those who have pressure ulcers up to Grade 2 (EPUAP).

 

Andrew Hardman, Managing Director of Kirton, said "With over 70 years experience A J Way enjoys an enviable reputation established in the long term care sector, as a traditional manufacturer of quality seating ranging from high seat chairs and side transfer chairs to the more sophisticated electric riser recliner chairs. These products perfectly complement the more specialist range of Kirton, a company whose name has become synonymous with profound clinical understanding as well as design and technological innovation. Working with Caroline will be Bev Wharton, Kirton's Marketing Director who has been appointed MD of A J Way".

Caroline & Robin would like to express heartfelt thanks to their many loyal and supportive customers and suppliers for their very valued orders, hard work, enthusiasm and friendship over the years. "It has been a real pleasure working with you in this very special and caring market sector and we both wish you all the very best of health, happiness and success in the years ahead." Caroline looks forward to meeting with many of you in the near future and also to working with some great new contacts from Kirton's network.

2010 is proving to be an exciting year for Kirton as the company has also recently received two Department of Health awards under the "Design Bugs Out" programme which is designed to combat the spread of Hospital Acquired Infections. Martin Battye, Group Chairman said "These are very exciting times for Kirton as various initiatives come to fruition. We have the right people, skills and experience in place and are very much looking forward to the beginning of a new chapter in the Kirton story. Having just celebrated Kirton's 30th year as a leading healthcare manufacturer, this is the perfect way to go forward into the future"

 

Contacts:

Martin Battye - 07836 525161
Andrew Hardman - 07791 381058
Caroline Christie - 07930 552020
Bev Wharton - 07721 862440

 

Kirton may be contacted at www.kirton-healthcare.co.uk