Feature Equipment design
A flexible solution for medical workstation design
Needing a flexible arm to support the viewing monitor on its new range of workstations, Olympus KeyMed to turned to Southco for a solution that would provide a wide range of movement, effortlessly
A
dvances in medical technology and the increased need for minimally invasive procedures have lead to the routine use of endoscopic surgery in the operating room. This, however, requires improved work flows and system organisation. The monitor arm on the WM-NP1 series of workstations was not ideal for routine height adjustment. While pan and tilt functions were possible, verti- cal movement was a manual operation and not user friendly. With the new endoscopic worksta- tion, the company was therefore looking for a quantum leap in the design, with enhanced ergonomics and flexibility. Mark McHugh, assistant product specialist, Olympus KeyMed, takes up the story: “We wanted the new platform to provide greater flexibility and to specifically enhance the user experi- ence, particularly in monitor position- ing. Here, the movement needed to be effortless and single-handed, balancing the 10kg monitor against its own weight and ensuring that, once positioned cor- rectly, it would remain there without the need for locking detents or clamps. Additional key requirements were to be able to provide greater viewing angles, pan, tilt and also vertical adjustment, both within the footprint of the work- station and when extended.” As a solution, Olympus KeyMed, in partnership with Southco, developed the WM-P2 series of ergonomic and efficient workstations.
Requirements
Olympus criteria demanded that its mounting arm should reach a signifi- cantly higher level of sophistication and complexity than the existing Southco range, making it a completely bespoke product. Southco’s solution was the AV-99-4, borne out of its patented position tech- nology and developed for its series of medical LCD mounting arms. The same technology has made it possible to pro- vide a wide range of monitor movement and make it virtually weightless in terms of its motion. A counter-balance mechanism has been incorporated to
Design Solutions OCTOBER 2013
The product was assembled within Southco’s dedicated ‘Olympus Cell’ at its UK facility. The Cell is now used as a global benchmark for Southco manufacturing for its portfo- lio of healthcare products.
counteract the gravitational pull against the monitor, allowing fingertip move- ment of even the heaviest monitors.
Enhanced user experience Teams from Southco and Olympus worked closely together over a six month period to develop a specification and concept that met the demands.
The advanced positioning control technology enables users to move and position the monitor without the need for clamps to lock it into position
The new LCD arm has resulted in an enhanced user experience and opera- tional efficiency. McHugh added: “The advanced positioning control technol- ogy enables users to move and position the monitor without the need for clamps to lock it into position, saving time and effort and making the arms surface easier to clean. The zero drift functionality also means the monitor is securely placed after one movement.” According to the company, the LCD arm is a highly rated feature of the workstation, which offers improved quality and efficiency to the endoscopy process. The workstation monitor can now be easily positioned for every individual procedure and user, with no compromise to the efficiency or quality of the procedure.
Southco Manufacturing T: 01905 346500
www.southco.com
Enter 230
Building specialist mechanical assemblies E
trolleys for wings and chassis, and pit lane control consoles and workshop storage cabinets. In one example, MiniTec works closely with RAM Racing which took part in the 2013 European Le Mans Series (ELMS), racing Ferrari 458 GTE cars. For the company, equipment organisation is of paramount importance and it commissioned MiniTec to build portable pit lane toolboxes and pit perches with a design specification for both projects that included high gloss white panelling and flush fittings.
For JRM Racing, which competes across several competitions including the
FIA GT1 World Championship, MiniTec supplied front and rear wing trolleys for the safe and secure transportation of these critical parts within the pit and also for transportation storage. The modular MiniTec Profile System is based on a wide choice of square or rec- tangular section profiles with corresponding components and accessory elements.
MiniTec T: 01256 365605
www.minitec.co.uk
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rgonomics is essential in the motorsport industry, where reaction times and proficiency can make the difference between a podium or a pole position. One UK manufacturing company that is increasingly providing ergonomic support equipment solutions for race teams is MiniTec, with its Profile System modular machine building and framing range. The diverse needs of race teams for individually customised kit to store, support or transport tools, fixtures and car
parts remains a constant challenge. As a solution, Profile System with its aluminium profiles, connectors and components, gives race teams complete freedom in the design and build of specialist individual mechanical assemblies that are durable, easily configured and modifiable. The company’s building-block components includes wheels, handles, hinges, panels, windows and doors as well as automation components such as motors and sensors. Profile System has been used for applications ranging from Formula 1 wind tunnel positioning systems to simple
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