Breast prostheses

Description

The framework agreement will look to include the following range of products: whole breast prostheses, partial breast prostheses, soft form and leisure breast prostheses, bras and accessories for bras and prostheses. It is anticipated that initial expenditure will be in the region of 1 000 000 GBP in the first year of this framework agreement, however this is approximate only and the values may vary depending on the requirements of those bodies purchasing under the framework agreement. The estimated value over the total framework agreement term is 4 148 000 GBP to 5 625 000 GBP. This lot is for whole breast form prostheses to be used outside of the breast, inside a pocketed bra or adhered directly to the surface of the skin. Made predominantly from silicone they may be formed from an outer polyurethane layer filled with silicone gel or a solid or foam silicone. Used to mimic a whole/full breast when the whole breast has been surgically removed, in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours and weights to suit the specific requirements of the individual. — gel filled: Usually formed from a polyurethane film filled with silicone gel. The prosthesis is pre- shaped and available in a range of weight, fullness, shape and size, to mimic a natural breast. Gel filled prosthesis may be made from standard silicone gel, incorporate temperature balancing mechanisms through additives to the silicone or be adjustable to improve fit and accommodate changing breast shape and size. —— traditional gel filled; —— temperature balancing: containing temperature balancing mechanisms. Temperature balancing mechanisms include additives to silicone gel to promote cooling and heat transference. In addition to the temperature balancing mechanisms within the breast it may have a flat back to sit against the skin or moulded backing to improve air circulation and moisture evaporation; —— adaptable: adjustable to accommodate chest wall swelling, uneven scar or breast tissue and/or compensate for changing breast size during breast expander/reconstruction surgery. It is desirable to incorporate temperature balancing technology. It may have a flat back to sit against the skin or moulded 3D type backing to improve air circulation and moisture evaporation and be with or without adhesive properties and available in a range of weights. — 100 % silicone or non-gel filled: may be solid or foam type silicone, pre-shaped and in a range of sizes, shapes, symmetry, fullness and weight to mimic a whole breast. Products may come with a flat backing (skin facing surface) or moulded 3D effect backing, with or without adhesive and in a range of weights. This lot is for partial breast form prosthesis, enhancers, overlays and nipples to be used outside of the breast. Partial breast prostheses are made from a polyurethane layer filled with silicone gel. May be worn inside a pocketed bra. Used to provide symmetry to a breast post-surgery when only a portion of tissue has been removed. Required in a variety of asymmetric and symmetrical shapes, sizes and weights to suit the specific requirements of the individual. — gel filled: usually formed from a polyurethane film filled with silicone gel. The prosthesis is pre-shaped and available in a range of weight, fullness, shape and size, to mimic a natural breast. Gel filled prosthesis may be made from standard silicone gel, incorporate temperature balancing mechanisms or be adjustable to improve fit and accommodate changing breast shape and size. Products may be supplied with a flat, smooth backing (skin facing surface) to sit against the skin or moulded backing (skin facing surface) with 3D effect. The moulded backing is comprised of channels or raised beads in a variety of configurations to improve air circulation and moisture evaporation. Products with a moulded backing reduce sweating and moisture build up. The skin facing surface may include adhesive to secure prosthesis and enhance weight distribution. —— traditional gel filled. — temperature control: containing temperature balancing mechanisms. Temperature balancing mechanisms include additives to silicone gel to promote cooling and heat transference. In addition to the temperature balancing mechanisms within the breast it may have a flat back to sit against the skin or moulded backing to improve air circulation and moisture evaporation, — adaptable: adaptable to accommodate chest wall swelling, uneven scar or breast tissue and/or compensate for changing breast size during breast expander/reconstruction surgery. It is desirable to incorporate temperature balancing technology. It may have a flat back to sit against the skin or moulded 3D type backing to improve air circulation and moisture evaporation and be with or without adhesive properties and available in a range of weights, — enhancers and overlays: used for enhancing the natural breast when a breast form is used on the opposite side or as an alternative to partial prosthesis or asymmetric requirements for local excision, — self-adhesive nipples: used with breast prosthesis or on natural breast when required to provide symmetry depending on the individual patient requirements. This lot is for soft form and leisure style breast prostheses to be used outside of the breast, inside a pocketed/non-pocketed bra. Soft form prostheses are required in an alternative material to silicone and intended for immediate post mastectomy use. Required in a variety of asymmetric and symmetrical shapes and sizes to suit the specific requirements of the individual. Unweighted breast prosthesis may be used on a short term or temporary basis such as immediately after surgery or during radiotherapy treatment. Breast prosthesis suitable for use during leisure activities may be made from a variety of materials, suitability for use when swimming in chlorinated or salt water is desirable. This lot is for bras suitable for use to support the breast after various surgical procedures. Bras are grouped by style: — encapsulation style — with separate cups to cradle each breast, — compression style — holds the bosom to the chest. Suitability of 1 style over another is dependent on its intended use. Bras may be used to hold a prosthesis following breast removal or reduce and restrict breast movement to protect breast implant positioning, reduce mechanical drag in sternotomy or compress breast tissue in cases of lymphoedema. In addition, bras suitable for wearing during radiotherapy treatment should have minimal seams and where possible no metal fastenings. Products specifically designed to adapt or maintain fit of bras for use with prosthesis or care of prosthesis. Bra accessories, products used to improve fit or comfort of bra or adapt a bra for use after breast surgery: — additional bra straps: used to adjust a prosthesis bra by extending the back/chest band length, — bra strap shoulder pads: pads to cushion and provide width to shoulder straps, — breast form pockets: pockets to sew into non-pocketed bras/swimwear to hold a breast prosthesis, — drainage pouch holder/cover: pouch or holder/cover for storing drainage pouch and tubes in a bra. Prosthesis accessories: Products used to maintain, care for or adapt breast prosthesis — prosthesis cover: envelope style fabric cover for breast prosthesis to improve comfort and product maintenance, — prosthesis cleansing materials: products designed for maintaining adhesive barrier of silicone whole breast prosthesis, — polyester fibre fill/medical fleece: additional polyester fibre/medical fleece to add in to soft form temporary, if extra filling is required, — cover for adhesive prosthesis backing: cover which can be applied to the adhesive backing of a whole breast adhesive prosthesis to allow the prosthesis to be worn loose from the skin (as a non-adhesive prosthesis), — adhesive backing for silicone whole breast prosthesis: an adhesive pad that can be attached to the back of a silicone whole breast prosthesis to enable it to be worn attached directly to the skin as an adhesive prosthesis.