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INDUSTRY FOCUS MEDICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL


55thanniversary medical-grade foot switch


selected for skin rejuvenation system A foot switch supplied by


fortop UK is helping reduce


operator fatigue during nitrogen plasma skin rejuvenation


H


aving historically offered several devices across the medical beauty and aesthetics market, including systems for hair removal


and laser-based treatments, Energist is now focusing on NeoGen, its nitrogen plasma skin rejuvenation system. This system converts nitrogen gas into plasma


energy and delivers rapid ‘shots’ through a handpiece to treat the skin, with a typical full-face treatment requiring around 1,500 individual shots. It is manufactured in three variations, and everything the company now does operationally is geared around supporting it.


From the outset,


NeoGen and its legacy systems relied on a Steute foot switch supplied via fortop UK, rather than hand controls alone, to trigger plasma delivery. The pedal has been associated with Energist’s plasma devices for at least a decade, first on earlier products and then carried forward onto the current NeoGen platform. Mike Walters, who oversees operations at


The foot switch takes over and lets practitioners focus on treatment quality rather than the mechanics of firing the device


Each pedal is delivered with a unique


Energist, commented: “While it’s originally designed for demanding applications in other industries, which means its specification more than matches the stresses of clinical use, it has been tried and tested by us, which is why we had no hesitation moving it from the legacy products to the current device.” Because NeoGen is a medical device,


Energist treats the foot switch as a critical component. “Any change to the device,


including the foot switch, has to go through third-party certification and analysis. You are talking about cost, time and effort, because it is a fundamental part of the build,” explained Walters.


Because NeoGen is a


medical device, Energist treats the foot switch as a critical component


a made-to-order solution Although NeoGen includes a trigger on the handpiece, Energist quickly recognised that relying purely on finger actuation across hundreds or thousands of shots could cause fatigue for practitioners. A typical full-face procedure can require around 1,500 shots, while a consumable nozzle is rated at approximately 4,000 shots and the handpiece at around 250,000 shots, so sustained, repetitive triggering is part of daily clinical work. By moving the actuation to the pedal,


clinicians enjoy greater freedom of movement and a more relaxed arm position during procedures. “It really is about operator fatigue. The foot switch just takes over and lets practitioners focus on treatment quality rather than the mechanics


of firing the device,” said Walters. fortop UK supplies the Steute foot


switches to Energist on a made-to-order


basis, ensuring each unit matches configuration and traceability requirements.


6 DesiGn sOLUtiOns 1971-2026 JULY/AUGUST 2026 2


serial number that Energist links to its corresponding NeoGen device, giving clear traceability from component to clinic. fortop UK protects Energist’s installed base


by declining to sell replacement pedals directly to end users. “If someone were to find us and ask for that foot control, we would direct them back to Energist. The serial number dictates that it is an Energist product, and that ensures they retain the relationship and aftermarket business,” commented Steven Hill, managing director of fortop UK.


up to the challenge The surge in NeoGen shipments has a direct impact on foot switch demand. “The quantities are changing week to week. As sales pick up and we build more devices, we obviously buy more pedals. It is a nice challenge to have, but it means we need visibility and flexibility from fortop UK,” said Walters. Unit volumes have risen from around 140 to


150 systems in the previous year to a forecast of approximately 500 devices in the current year, with particularly strong momentum over the last six months. Alongside managing current demand,


Energist is now investing in the next evolution of the NeoGen platform. Plans include a more contemporary, easy-to-clean enclosure, improved ergonomics around the device housing and modular internal assemblies to simplify service and maintenance. For Energist, the collaboration with fortop UK


delivers more than a component. It provides a trusted partner that understands the demands of a regulated medical device, supports rapid growth with flexible supply, and contributes ideas for the next phase of NeoGen’s evolution.


fortop automation & energy Control t: 01684 585148 www.fortop.co.uk


www.designsolutionsmag.co.uk


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