Primasil’s cooling cap wins at Medilink West Midlands

Primasil Silicones has won the Medical Healthcare and Business Award for further development of its cooling cap for cancer patients, at the Medilink West Midlands award ceremony

The cooling cap for cancer patients consists of a compact refrigeration system connected to a lightweight silicone rubber cap.

By lowering the head and scalp temperature immediately before, after and during chemotherapy treatment blood flow to the hair follicles is reduced which prevents or minimises damage.

Primasil undertook the work on behalf of Paxman, the global leading manufacturer of scalp cooling equipment for cancer patients, which it had helped in creating the original Paxman cooling cap in the 1990s.

In collaboration with its academic partner, the University of Huddersfield, Primasil said it set out to improve the cap’s effectiveness and availability.

The challenges Primasil addressed were creating a new silicone rubber formulation and finding a new way to improve automation in production, according to the company.

Primasil’s medical division manager, Caroline Herdman, said: “We are thrilled to have received the Medilink Innovation Award this year. It is wonderful recognition of what we can do for an industry where product innovation makes a real difference to people’s lives.

“Silicone rubber is a remarkable material and with subtle alterations to its chemistry we can develop ideal materials for specific and varied applications.

“When the right minds are brought together our potential for creating, improving and transforming medical devices is almost limitless.”

Managing director of Paxman, Richard Paxman, said: “Primasil Silicones’ experience in the medical industry and its understanding of quality standards and certifications, has made them an invaluable partner to us, in both developing and improving the cooling cap.

“We’re delighted to see Primasil winning another award and for our cooling cap to receive such recognition.”

Primasil will now go on to represent the region at the national Medilink UK Awards, which takes place at the Medtech Innovation Expo, Ricoh Arena, Coventry on 29 April.