Case closed: winning enclosure design for hospital devices
When Cipher Surgical needed to find a partner in enclosure design for its new OpClear control unit that was destined for use in hospital operating theatres worldwide, it approached CamdenBoss (exhibiting on stand 13 at this year's Med-Tech Innovation Expo).
The OpClear unit helps maintain a clear lens and clear vision for surgeons using laparoscopes during operations by directing an “on demand” jet of CO2 across the lens to remove blood, peritoneal fluid, particulate matter and prevent condensation or fogging. This allows surgeons to maintain a clear view throughout often lengthy operations thus maximising time that the laparoscope can be used without interruption for removal and cleaning. The result is enhanced safety and minimisation of frustration from having to stop working or continuing to work with reduced vision.
Designed for use in hospital operating theatres worldwide, the OpClear control unit needed to meet the very strict requirements of electrical safety – ISO 60601-1 – and EMC requirements ISO 60601-1-2 as well as meeting IC (Industry Canada) and US FCC (Federal Communications Commission) emissions standards. This was further complicated by the RFID system employed in the OpClear unit that allows automatic recognition of any product attached to the control unit as well as the usability aspects laid out in ISO 60601-1-6.
As part of the project, UK group CamdenBoss says it helped develop a case that met the exacting requirements of medical environments without compromising on the design for ease of manufacturing and serviceability.
Justin Buch, operations director for Cipher Surgical said: “CamdenBoss were chosen due to their expertise in the design and manufacture of bespoke enclosures for medical instruments and, in partnership, Cipher Surgical has been able to create a new system that meets the technical requirements, maintain great aesthetics and achieve a product that is easy to assemble. CamdenBoss is also a supplier of choice to manufacture the enclosure parts for their control in material selection and manufacturing expertise for products used in such demanding conditions.”
He added: “The CamdenBoss design team worked well in the overall project team comprising Cipher Surgical and its other development and manufacturing partners, helping us achieve first time passes on all aspects of the control unit testing against the very demanding standards. CamdenBoss’s design team also attended cross-partner company working meetings to discuss the system design and contributed to resolution of issues as they arose through the development cycle. The team’s adaptable approach contributed to controlling project schedules for a timely outcome.”
Dan Smalley, enclosure design manager at CamdenBoss added: “CamdenBoss worked on the enclosure design from the outset and produced a variety of concept designs. From there, the construction of the case was developed paying special attention to ensuring that the enclosures were easy to populate with components and also straightforward to assemble. The OpClear unit is a complicated piece of equipment with many interconnecting parts so CamdenBoss designed and prototyped the enclosures in a way that allowed fast assembly, met the IP rating and other standards and resulted in an aesthetically pleasing unit. Volume production is now in full swing.”