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Cart-mounted Imaging System

EmbedTek partners with medical device manufacturer to address supply chain challenges, launch product

With health-related technology booming, medical device manufacturers must produce top notch products that meet real needs of the medical community. Medical device manufacturers do more than generate new ideas for products. They also design components, source each material and build their medical device to satisfy industry standards. Even then they can’t rest on their laurels. Manufacturers must reach the market quickly to remain competitive in today’s accelerated market.

Recently EmbedTek put its creative powers to work to help a medical device manufacturer launch a breakthrough microsurgery appliance. This device performed a variety of functions, namely a high-performance image capture system for cataract surgery. The manufacturer knew it had hit gold with the creation of the device, but faced dilemmas that threatened to doom the enterprise. Enter EmbedTek.

Problems
EmbedTek needed to address five key problem areas:

  1. Speed up manufacturing to reach the market ahead of competition. The manufacturer couldn’t simultaneously design and build the optical hardware, internal software and intricate computing system.
  2. Work out the thermal output component, which was at odds with acoustic standards for this type of medical device.
  3. Ensure that all components of the device would have an extended product life cycle.
  4. Address size components of the various components. The device needed to fit on a portable cart to mobilize within a medical setting.
  5. Cost control was at the forefront of the manufacturer’s concerns. They needed to produce a quality product without skyrocketing production costs. This would make it too expensive for the market.

Solutions

Time constraints
To launch a new product line ahead of competition, EmbedTek divvied up the workload with the customer. With this approach we could each bring laser focus to our designated components. The manufacturer focused its efforts on core technologies: optical hardware and software development. Simultaneously, EmbedTek built the intricate computing system. This computing system established touch points to assure program coordination.

Thermal and Acoustic Management
The computer system needed to address high thermal output from video cards. Acoustic standards set by the industry constrained these efforts. The EmbedTek team used CAD software and thermal imaging tools to test several configurations.

Extended Product Lifecycle
Business models for the image capture system indicated that there would be marketplace opportunity for five years. The manufacturer was concerned that the device’s components (especially it’s short life video cards) would have life cycles not aligned to the rest of the system. EmbedTek saved the day by fine-tuning each component to thrive for the entire lifecycle.

Size Constraints
The imaging device fit on a cart that could mobilize as needed. The manufacturer’s initial cart design resulted in unsatisfactory dimensions and poor aesthetics. EmbedTek designed a custom chassis around high-performance video cards. This design fit the cart opening and visually complemented the rest of the product family.

Cost Control
EmbedTek team members put their heads together to create a three-pronged approach to cost control. First, they provided experienced design and validation at a cost comparable to in-house development. Second, they provided standard manufacturing capacity with no capital spending from the manufacturer. And third, EmbedTek helped to reduce the cost of purchasing components and life cycle management.

Results
With EmbedTek’s vital intervention, the medical device manufacturer was able to produce in a timely, affordable and efficient manner. The manufacturer’s breakthrough microsurgery appliance met with great success in the market. It filled a need in cataract operating suites and boosted the future potential success of the manufacturer.

Click here to download the case study.

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