How It Works
The Solution
The Pēpi Splint revolutionises protection for premature babies from skin damage and other injuries by eliminating the need for tape-to-skin contact.
The Pēpi Splint is designed to allow for simple application and removal of the splint, while providing rigid limb isolation. It provides a gentle touch to the skin without causing irritation to delicate skin, yet has a firm grip on the skin to prevent movement of the splint. The Pēpi Splint secures the PIVC without direct adhesive contact to the baby’s skin.
The Pēpi Splint is reusable, ambidextrous in both hands and feet, can be sterilized in an autoclave, reducing unnecessary waste. The Pēpi Splint can be trimmed to suit the baby’s needs and completely eliminates tape-to-skin contact.
The Pēpi Splint comes in 3 sizes and is on the surface, a simple object. The silicone used is a soft shore A 10 with a platinum base. The silicone overmoulds a fabric mesh to retard tearing and stop the wrapping arms becoming a tourniquet. There is an aluminium member to assist with bending and shape forming, also overmoulded. This means there are no exposed edges to harm the baby an it can be autoclave to or washed for reuse. (Providing it has not been cut/trimmed.) The overmoulded mesh allows for the nurse to trim the wrapping arms to clear a wound or PIVC site without the silicone tearing.
Simple application and removal for medical professionals.
Straps can be trimmed to size for a perfect fit.
Splint is pliable due to non-magnetic aluminium.
Small, medium and large sizes for different weighted babies.
Silicone gel material which is soft on skin
and latex free.
Rigid limb isolation.
0
100%
90%
78%
0 injuries were reported
when using Pēpi Splint**.
Of clinicians claimed it was
easy to use.
Of parents would recommend Pēpi splint to friends and family/whānau.
Increase in adhesion time compared to regular PIVC.
Safety First
The splint can secure the PIVC with no adhesive tape touching the baby’s sensitive skin. Pēpi splint is also MRI safe.
Gentle Touch
The splint was developed with delicate skin in mind. The soft silicone hugs the skin without causing irritation, yet has a firm grip to prevent movement of the splint.
Environmentally
Friendly
Pēpi splint can be used repeatedly on the same patient*, this avoids need for repeated changes of the splint during premature care. It can also be sterilized in an autoclave.
Current Splints
This market is underserved with viable product. In some cases, wooden oral exam sticks are fashioned to suit.
The leading unit in New Zealand is a foam block. This is a single use item, in which most of the contents of the packet are thrown away, with only the foam board being used to tape onto the limb. These small foam boards are used with standard brown Elastoplast tape.
One of our insights during product development was the realisation that tape and scissors are to a nurse are what hammer and nails are to a carpenter. Inserting a PIVC device into such a small person is a skill and a talent
and a task you don’t want to have to do twice due to the PIVC pulling out. Therefore nursing staff need to ensure the life saving device is securely held in place.