Introduction
Tamarack Habilitation Technologies Inc. is pleased to introduce ENGO®
Blister Prevention Patches. ENGO is a radically advanced
blister care product designed for footwear, insoles, socks and athletic
equipment - not skin. Since 1990 we have been improving and maximizing human
physical performance in the orthotic & prosthetic industry by designing
& developing products of excellent function and value. We are world-renown
for our expertise and understanding of ankle-foot biomechanics, including
friction management.
Product
Overview and Description
ENGO are extremely durable low-friction patches manufactured with
very sticky adhesive. It's unique application to footwear, insoles, socks
& athletic equipment - NOT SKIN - provides easier, longer-lasting blister-free
protection and relief. Because each patch is thin and moisture-resistant
it is the perfect tool for athletes.
ENGO Instructions for Use:
|
|
1. |
Select the appropriate
ENGO patch based on location and coverage required
a. Large oval:
heel, arch, ball
of foot, side of foot
b. Small oval: toes
c. Rectangle: skates, helmet abrasion,
custom-trim
|
| 2. |
Remove
½ ENGO patch from its protective backing
|
| 3. |
Fold
the protective backing to create a tab, allowing you to apply the
patch without touching the adhesive with your fingers |
| 4. |
Apply
to the surface of the footwear, insole, sock or equipment
|
| 5. |
Press
firmly to secure
|
| 6. |
Using
the tab created in step #3, remove the rest of the protective backing |
| 7. |
Press
firmly around the surface of the patch to secure |
NOTE: The adhesive is pressure sensitive. Therefore, as pressure increases
so does patch conformance & adherence. Occasionally, patches need to
be replaced. Replace patches when the blue top-layer wears through, or completely
releases from, the support layer.
TO REMOVE ENGO:
Pull up from an edge and off. If you are not replacing the patch and adhesive
residue remains, sprinkle talcum power to eliminate tackiness. To ease
removal, use of a heat gun or blow dryer is recommended.
ENGO may be a
useful tool in the following situations:
 |
Hotspots & 'pressure
points'
|
|
Callus management
|
|
Blister prevention
and relief
|
|
Bunions, bunionettes,
corns, hammer toes, claw toes
|
|
Heel spurs (a.k.a
pump bumps)
|
|
Helmet abrasions
|
|
New footwear |
|
Athletes with prior
history of blisters
|
|
Any situation where
repetitive rubbing is a problem |
Features
and Benefits
|
Reduces
friction -
blister-free protection and relief, callus management
|
|
Ultra-thin
- volume
in footwear virtually unaltered, no rolling edges
|
|
Heavy-duty
adhesive -
eliminates patch movement & migration
|
|
Sweat-proof
- holds
up under tough athletic conditions
|
|
Pre-cut
shapes -
simple and easy to use
|
|
Built-in
c hange-out indicator - let's you know when patch needs
replacing
|
|
Extremely
durable -
lasts longer than one-time-use blister products
|
|
Option
to trim -
customize shape & size to your needs
|
|
Latex-free
- for those
times when athletes go without socks
|
|
Apply
to footwear , insoles, socks and athletic equipment - easier,
faster, increased comfort
|
Frequently
Asked Questions
| Q: |
How
long will each patch last? |
| A: |
From weeks to months.
It depends on your activity level & terrain. Users have gone 300+
miles on one patch. Compare that to one-time-use products. Replace
patches when the blue top layer wears through to or completely releases
from the white layer.
|
| Q: |
Can
I apply patches to skin? |
| A: |
ENGO was designed
for equipment, socks, insoles and footwear, so we guarantee its effectiveness
for those applications. ENGO has not been tested on skin, so we cannot
guarantee how long it will adhere to skin.
|
| Q: |
How
do I remove ENGO? |
| A: |
Pull the patch from
the edge and lift off. If you are not replacing the patch and some
adhesive remains, sprinkle talcum powder on the residue to eliminate
tackiness. If you have difficulties removing ENGO from a soft surface,
applying heat by way of a heat gun or blow dryer may help.
|
| Q: |
Can
I apply ENGO to socks? |
| A: |
The toe area of
some footwear is so small that you may not be able to easily apply
ENGO in this location. In that case, go ahead and put it on your socks.
But note that while ENGO stands up to sweat, we can't guarantee it
will stand up to the 45 gallons of warm, soapy water used in the wash
cycle.
|
| Q: |
Does
blue color variation affect performance? |
| A: |
No. Color variations
of blue is considered normal and will not affect product performance.
However, when blue wears through to or completely releases from the
white layer, it is time to replace the patch.
|
| Q: |
How
do I know which patch to use? |
| A: |
The rule of thumb
is to select a patch that is ¼- ½ inch larger than the
troubled area. Large ovals are useful for the heel, arch, ball of
foot, side of foot. Small ovals are useful for toes. Rectangles are
useful for helmets, skates, custom trimming. Remember, all patches
may be trimmed to meet your location and contour needs.
|
| Q: |
Does
ENGO have an expiration date? |
| A: |
No. As long as you
store your patches in the re-closable bag provided, ENGO will last
several years. When patches are not protected, the adhesive shelf
life may be limited to 24 months.
|
Technical
Specifications
| ENGO
patch: |
Thickness:* |
Dimensions: |
| Small
Oval |
0.012
inch |
2
x 1-1/2 inch |
| Large
Oval |
0.012
inch |
2-3/4
x 1-3/4 inch |
| Rectangle |
0.012
inch |
3-3/4
x 2-3/4 inch |
*For a reference, athletic
tape is approximately 0.010 inch
FRICTION REDUCTION - SCIENTIFIC TEST RESULTS
ENGO significantly reduces friction no matter what type of SOCK, FOOTWEAR
and FOOTBED/insole material worn. Results were compiled using ASTM D3334
friction testing method.
| Product
Thickness Chart for Blister Treatment/Prevention Products |
 |
| Products |
Thickness
(in)dial-caliper |
| Duct
Tape |
0.008 |
| Athletic
Tape |
0.010 |
| ENGO |
0.012 |
| Cramer
Blister Foam |
0.012 |
| Adhesive
knit |
0.014 |
| Spyroflex
skin savers |
0.014 |
| Band-aid
(fabric) |
0.018 |
| Moleskin |
0.020 |
| Spenco
Blister Pad |
0.021 |
| Band-aid
Advanced Healing |
0.028 |
| Heel
& lace pad |
0.028 |
| Dr.
Scholl Cushlin |
0.037 |
| Donut
pad |
0.038 |
| 2nd
skin |
0.040 |
| Blister
Block |
0.041 |
| Molefoam |
0.063 |
Articles
Click
here to review the
School Health sales flyer for ENGO.
Attached is a press release
titled "TAMARACK HABILITATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC. OFFERS NEW PERFORMANCE
PATCHES THAT REDUCE FRICTION". Click here to review this press release.
Click here
to review a "Blister Prevention Case Study" as provided by the
maker of the Engo Patches.
You can also review additional
information at the manufacturer's website at … www.GoEngo.com
To learn more about friction,
peak pressure, shear stresses and blisters refer to these published references:
| 1. |
Naylor PFD. Experimental
friction blisters. British Journal of Dermatology. 1955;67:327-42.
|
| 2.
|
Naylor PFD. The
skin surface and friction. British Journal of Dermatology. 1955;67:239-248.
|
| 3.
|
Sulzberger MB, Cortese
TA, Fishman L, Wiley HS. Studies on blisters produced by friction.
Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 1966;47:456-65.
|
| 4. |
Sanders JE, Goldstein
BS, Leotta DF. Skin response to mechanical stress: adaptation rather
than breakdown - a review of the literature. Journal of Rehabilitation
Research and Development. 1955;32:214-226.
|
| 5.
|
Akers WA, Sulzberger
MB. The friction blister. Military Medicine. 1972;137:1-7.
|
| 6.
|
Sanders JE, Daly
CH, Burgess EM. Interface shear stresses. Journal of Rehabilitation
Research and Development. 1992;29:1-8.
|
Other Information
Tips
| 1.
|
ENGO may
adhere better when applied to a dry surface.
|
| 2.
|
ENGO may
last longer when anchored to a surface. For example, wrapping ENGO
around the edge/sides of the insole.
|
| 3.
|
Hotspot or blisters
located at the interface of the insole and footwear are best served
using a two-patch approach. Apply one patch to the insole, wrapping
around to the underside. The second patch is applied to the footwear
liner. When installed properly, the two patches create a smooth interface
between the two surfaces.
|
| 4.
|
ENGO packaging
was designed with your needs in mind. The re-closable, heavy-duty
bag used to package ENGO protects patches from elements and
preserves product quality. We recommend that you store patches in
the bag.
|
| 5.
|
Some locations in
certain footwear are hard to reach (toe box). To place ENGO
in these locations, try using this technique: Remove 1/2 ENGO from
release paper. Fold the release paper back onto itself, creating a
tab. Place the patch in the location within the footwear. Press to
secure. Pull the rest of the release paper off the patch. Press to
secure. Or place on the sock.
|
| 6. |
Not all friction
is bad. Friction is useful to help secure feet in shoes and equipment
on bodies. Select a patch that is slightly larger than the targeted/troubled
area, thus reducing friction only where needed.
|
| Large oval patch
applied to metatarsal head area of insole - shown wrapped to underside
of insole |
Large oval patch
applied to arch area of insole - shown wrapped to underside of insole;
small oval patch applied to great toe area |
Two large oval patches
used. One patch applied to arch area of insole & wrapped to underside
of insole; other patch adhered to shoe liner |
Warranty
If
you are unhappy with your ENGO Blister Prevention Patches for any reason, please
contact your School Health representative. The manufacturer of ENGO wants
to do everything possible to make your relationship and experience with
the product a pleasant one.
Customer Testimonials
"I had several players experiencing discomfort
& pain as a result of their thick, hard calluses. Once ENGO patches
were applied to their shoes, not only did their discomfort dissipate, they
did not have to have their calluses trimmed as often."
- Head Certified
Athletic Trainer, Professional Team
"Half-way through
the season, one of my basketball players changed shoes. He was blistering
terribly on his Achilles heel. After applying ENGO patches in his shoes
he no longer experienced discomfort and his blisters readily healed. He
raves about the product!"
- Certified Athletic Trainer, High School Team
"During fall
pre-season training, we usually treat several players for multiple blisters.
However, this past pre-season we aimed at preventing blister formation
by placing low-friction patches in the shoes at the point of hotspot development.
The results were amazing! Every player who used ENGO patches did not develop
one blister. It saved us tons of time!"
- Head Certified Athletic Trainer, Division II
University
Product Ordering Information
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