BAAR, Switzerland, April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
Progressive airway suctioning for precious life
Medela AG announces the launch of 'Clario Toni'- a gentle and lightweight airway suction solution named after a young British tracheostomy patient, who was dedicated to helping others.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150407/738699-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150407/738699-b )
Toni: The Social Butterfly
Nothing was an obstacle for Toni. When faced with the challenges of becoming tracheostomy and ventilator dependent, it didn't upset her. Toni achieved the seemingly impossible; defying doctors' prognosis, she was a true inspiration. As the winner of many charitable awards for bravery and achievement, Toni taught others about courage, strength and bravery. She met with countless celebrities, members of royalty and parliamentary figures, as a spokesperson on equality and disability rights.
Like many people with disabilities, Toni hated to stand out from the crowd. Her tracheal suctioning equipment was awkward and noisy and made her feel embarrassed when suctioning in public places. To overcome this, Toni explored her options to search for a quieter, sleeker looking suction pump. She found the Clario; a quiet, easy-to-use device that came in a small bag which seemed to tick every box. Toni always wanted to make things better for everyone, especially infants and babies, so she shared her excitement and recommended the device to others.
According to various studies, the number of children under the age of two with a tracheostomy is rising¹, largely due to the fact that a greater number of critically ill infants requiring chronic ventilation survive. This group relies heavily on a home care pump capable of achieving low level vacuum suctioning. When nasotracheal suctioning guidelines for neonates, children and young people were revised, Toni's helpful insight and experiences led Medela, the Swiss manufacturer of Clario, to develop a brand new pump with lower vacuum pressures, specifically designed for paediatric use. For minors, gentle suctioning is recommended to avoid further potential complications during this common, yet risky procedure.
Toni Bewley, mother of Toni: "I am so proud that the new Medela Clario suction pump will be named after our beloved daughter Toni. Toni always loved to help people and would be so happy to know this pump is now available for everybody."
As a believer in escapism, Toni used guided imagery to help her through tough times. She imagined she was a butterfly, her favourite animal, free to travel across the world on fun trips, visiting exciting places in her mind. The Clario Toni was designed to be just like a butterfly; gentle, lightweight and mobile, giving children freedom. Most importantly it is quiet which is ideal for children who, like Toni, were scared of loud equipment, especially during the night, plus the non-medical design of Clario Toni no longer makes suctioning in public so embarrassing.
Now more of Toni's friends have the right equipment to enhance their quality of life, enabling them to live life to the full. Helping and supporting other people was Toni's passion; it's this attitude that now lives on in the new Medela device.
¹ Pediatric Tracheostomy: A Changing Procedure? Ralph F. Wetmore, Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol July 1999
For more information about Medela Clario Toni and tracheostomy support visit
http://www.tracheostomyuksupport.co.uk
About Medela
The Medela family company, headquartered in the Canton of Zug, Switzerland, was founded by Olle Larsson in 1961. Medela concentrates on two business units: "Breastfeeding", with fundamental research that is recognised globally and leading in the development and manufacture of breastfeeding products, and "Healthcare", engineering and manufacturing highly innovative medical vacuum technology solutions. Medela has 18 subsidiaries in Europe, North America and Asia, distributes its products in over 90 countries, and employs 1,500 staff worldwide.
Media contact
Fiona Kerr
Medela UK Ltd.
Business Unit Manager Healthcare
Fiona.kerr@medela.co.uk
Tel no. +44(0)7875681262
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