Encircle Medical Devices

We identified an opportunity in the medical market to create innovative next to skin applications for The Merino Company's specialist capability merino and performance textiles.

The medical compression market exceeds $2billion USD and has had a healthy growth rate. The compression therapy is a preventative treatment for sufferers of chronic venous disease (CVD) which affects half of all people over the age of 45.

Encircles first product line has 5 key features which differentiate it from global competitors, including a highly innovative bi-component fabric construction. A robust intellectual property portfolio has been developed to enable effective commercialisation and downstream licensing of the product system globally. Encircle has been recognised as a highly innovative

The Multilayer concept is a smart idea...Moving away from the sheer force required to pull on existing products has significant merit

business proposition with huge potential, reaching the Focus on Health final 20 from 104 participants. Locus delivered an advanced pitch to US Medical and Investment specialists to assist with investment procurement.

Locus Research have developed, directed and managed the R&D programme from inception through commercialisation including the development of detailed financial forecasts. This has include the development of 'Encircle Medical Devices'(EMD) a stand alone entity for the commercialisation of the resultant technology.

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The Encircle Product System

Encircle is the first ‘natural’ two layer graduated compression system that delivers preventative treatment to those that suffer venous insufficiency. Encircle therapy consists of five novel attributes (refer to Table 1) that significantly advance patient care and have the potential to  create a new product category in the global compression market.

 The Five Novel Attributes

  1. An innovative bi-component fabric: that both absorbs and wicks moisture away from the skin creating an effective micro environment for healing and comfort in use;
  2. A two layer system: that effectively utilises the bi-component material to manage the build up of moisture, and to ‘build up’ the level of compression, making application easier;
  3. An improved method of application: that allows the end user to put on and take off the compression garment as prescribed, without clinical assistance;
  4. Pressure release: that aids conformance by allowing the patient to release some pressure without taking the garment off, still retaining a moderate level of pressure through the provision of a ‘bridge’; compression;
  5. A method of specification linked to the garment: that makes prescription easier and more accurate, ensuring correct sizing and delivering the intended compression level.