Consumer Product Development
Spotlight
Company: Unity-Healthcare, Inc
Industry: Hospital Equipment
HQ: Colorado, USA
Webpage:
Unity-Healthcare Inc. is a leading distributor for the Safety Net America line of products that promote safety and health to consumers and healthcare professionals. Unity-Healthcare distribution (in our geographic area) help to achieve safer care environments through infection control and prevention as well as fall protection and lifting assit devices. This mission, along with other products continue to enhance the safety and well being of Healthcare Professionals.
Product/Project Highlights
Mobility Assist Device
Client: Unity Healthcare, Inc.
- Used for transferring & transporting bariatric and limited mobility patients
- 400 pound capacity
- Patient faces the care provider to support improved observation during transport
- Pads fold down behind the patient when they’re standing on the platform
- Wheels can be spread apart by the healthcare provider using a foot pedal to straddle wheelchairs and toilets
- Product design, motion analysis & FEA performed using SolidWorks software”
Situation:
The majority of injuries in a healthcare setting for both care providers and patients accur during transfer of patients with limited mobility. Unity Healthcare came to Solid wanting to improve on an existing patient transfer product. The new design needed to be significantly higher weight capacity to handle the increasing size of people in the healthcare system and incorporate articulating legs without infringing on existing patents. The new design alos needed to be stylish.
Mobility Assist Device
Client: Unity Healthcare, Inc.
Process:
Solid participated from the beginning through prototype testing following our Phase Gate Process for product design and development. Involvement included all Industrial Design, mechanical engineering, design and project management. Solid started by working with Unity Healthcare to summarise the product requirements, reviewed AMA requirements for wheelchairs and then developed multiple conceptual approaches to meet these requirements. Once the conceptual approach was refined and approved by our Client, Solid completed the detailed design in CAD, conducted finite element analysis(FEA) to confirm structural strength requirements were being met, created engineering drawings, sourced suppliers and solicited proposals for both prototype and production quantities and for production tooling. Solid then coordinated all prototype component machining, sewing, painting, assembly and testing of the first units of the product. The first prototype units functioned perfectly and were given to some of our Clients key customers to try.
Solution:
The new product is used in medical facilities for transferring and transporting bariatric and other patients who have limited mobility. A foot pedal allows the attending care giver to pivot the front wheels apart to access a wheel chair or toilet.