Case Study:

The Capnography Field Guide

Client: Thames Medical

Services: Book Design, Graphic Design

Thames Medical has long been a leading voice in veterinary capnography, with decades of frontline experience and a strong educational ethos. Managing Director Mike Brampton regularly trains vets and nurses on interpreting capnograph waveforms, but until recently, there was no clear, durable reference material to support that knowledge in practice. Mike had written a detailed manuscript based on his training sessions, but the project needed editing, structure, and design to turn it into a functional, accessible guide that could be used both in-theatre and as a study tool.

The Challenge

Capnography is a critical but often misunderstood monitoring tool in veterinary medicine. Despite its diagnostic value, many veterinary professionals struggle to interpret waveforms quickly or confidently, particularly in high-pressure settings like surgery. Thames Medical’s Managing Director, Mike Brampton, had decades of clinical experience and training knowledge on the subject—but needed a way to distil that into a clear, portable format that could work as both an in-theatre reference and a revision tool for students and junior staff. The challenge was to translate deep clinical expertise into a resource that was practical, accessible, and physically suited to the demands of real operating environments.

Our Strategy

We developed the Capnography Field Guide as a pocket-sized A6-format mini-textbook, printed on recyclable synthetic paper that is waterproof, bloodproof, chemical resistant, greaseproof, and tear-proof. The goal was to make it physically durable enough to survive regular use in operating theatres while being easy to carry and reference mid-procedure.

Working from content authored by Mike Brampton, we handled all editing, rewriting for clarity, and layout. This included:
• Simplifying complex explanations without losing clinical accuracy
• Designing original diagrams and waveform visuals from scratch
• Structuring the content into logical, quick-reference sections
• Creating a visual identity consistent with Thames Medical’s educational voice

The guide also includes QR codes linking to a digital waveform library, providing dynamic examples with explanatory overlays to reinforce real-time learning. It was designed not just as a reference, but as a learning tool—something that could be used in theatre, classrooms, or revision sessions alike.

We supported the entire publishing process, including:
• Interior and cover design
• Proofing and print prep
• Printer sourcing and production setup using eco-friendly synthetic stock
• Updates and reformatting between editions

Since launch, the Field Guide has gone through four editions, with each version incorporating clinical updates and user feedback. It is now used by veterinary teams, lecturers, and students across the UK as a frontline training and reference tool.

The results

The Capnography Field Guide became Thames Medical’s first published educational product and is now a core part of their brand identity at veterinary trade shows and training sessions. Its pocketable, mess-resistant format makes it one of the few veterinary references designed specifically for use inside operating theatres. The guide has been widely praised for its clarity, utility, and design, and is now distributed across vet schools, practices, and educational workshops. It continues to evolve through regular updates, remaining relevant to both new graduates and experienced clinicians. The success of the project also helped reinforce Thames Medical’s role not just as an equipment provider, but as a trusted educational partner.

In their own words

“Contento Media are an essential extension of Thames Medical. From campaign strategy to educational publishing and technical media, their work is always sharp, reliable, and perfectly aligned with our values.”
Mike Brampton, Managing Director