Case Study: Development of the Sotto Overbed Table
Introduction
The Sotto Overbed Table exemplifies a thorough four-year development process focused on creating a highly compatible overbed table base for 5th wheel motorized hospital beds and Big Wheel stretchers. This case study focuses on the innovative base design and its rigorous testing phases.
The Problem
Overbed table manufacturers may state that their table works with a 5th wheel bed, but most only fit in front of or behind the drive mechanism rather than fitting under the wheel. When these tables are used with a 5th wheel bed, they can only be positioned with the base forks to the front of or behind the 5th wheel. This makes the top surface either too close to the patient or makes the top surface too far away to be useful. Most often these tables are placed at an angle to the bed, or they are placed parallel to the bed. This can be difficult for the patient to use, and dangerous for a patient if he/she is leaning outside the envelope of the bed creating a fall potential.
Initial Design Phase
The project commenced in November of 2020 based on a conference call with designers. It was learned that for many years caregivers had complained about not being able to position an overbed table under motorized 5th wheel beds. There was not an overbed table available that fit properly. Various steel base styles were conceptualized, each emphasizing stability, durability, and ease of movement within clinical settings.
Prototyping and Testing
Prototyping involved extensive testing of over a dozen different steel base designs. Each base was tested for stability and strength. Each prototype underwent rigorous evaluation for durability and ease of use by medViron’s design & engineering and quality control teams, and incorporated feedback from healthcare professionals. Ease of cleaning the various base styles by hospital environmental services staff was also an assessment criterion.
Ergonomic and Functional Enhancements to the Overbed Table
Ergonomics played a central role in the design, incorporating medViron’s patented and industry-leading features such as a strategically placed height-adjustment lever for one-handed operation and a non-handed design for versatility. The base designs were refined to ensure they could withstand the demands of hospital use, ensuring stability and maneuverability, while emphasizing ease of cleaning.
Final Design Features
MedViron’s Sotto Overbed Table is the only overbed table that can be properly positioned with motorized critical care beds and stretchers for a patients’ comfort and safety. The Sotto Overbed Table’s final design includes:
- Durable Construction: The patented aluminum column has been tested for over 10,000 cycles with no loss of performance.
- Ergonomic Height-adjustment Lever: One-handed height adjustment for ease of use by both patients and caregivers.
- Infection Control: Designed for cleanability.
- Patient Comfort: Eased edges on the seamless KYDEX top.
- Compatibility: Specifically designed to work compatibly with 5th wheel motorized beds.
- Large outboard wheels facilitate effortless mobililty.
Conclusion
The Sotto Overbed Table exemplifies medViron’s commitment to collaborate with hospital staff to create innovative healthcare equipment. Additionally, the extensive development process highlights medViron’s application of ISO 13485 design and development protocols. With its robust construction and user-friendly features, the Sotto Overbed Table will be an asset in hospitals for decades to come.
For more information, visit the Sotto Overbed Table product page.
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