Stainless Steel, TIG Decont. Tank

Medical Devices

A top three medical device manufacturer requested a prototype that would be tested in a medical study. This project required the combining of fabrication and electronics for a complex device that would allow for circulation of chemicals in hospital room. 

 

After the first five were tested about five years ago, we improved the design with 20 more units delivered throughout the following year. And we then moved onto longer runs after the initial phase of testing.

Circulation of chemicals in patient care: We worked alongside Computer Control Systems, an international Original Equipment Manufactuer (OEM) specializing in custom automated industrial equipment and control systems, to prototype a decontamination tank for a specialized hospital bed. It allowed for the patient to float in media. The media needed to be recycled through heating it at a high temperature in a chamber.

The project began five years ago, with several waves of prototypes.

 

The original design didn’t allow for circulation of the media that the patients laid on to be recycled properly in the decontamination tank, the heaters were on one end and the bottom burned the media when we took on the project from a prior vendor.

 

It was only allowing for the media of about one and a half bed units to be recycled in the decontamination chamber at a time. (The media consisted of body fluids perspiring from the patient’s wounds).

 

Because the decontamination chamber wasn’t as efficient, more media had to be discarded. We were able to collaborate on an improved shape and function.

Partnered with third party to support integration: We partnered with Computer Control Systems, an International Original Equipment Manufactuer (OEM) specializing in custom automated industrial equipment and control systems.

 

The decontamination tank that recycled the media was about three feet higher with four legs. We went from four legs to three legs, shrunk the height down, allowing the media to flow in a more dynamic fluid state, reducing friction that would cause granulars, which helped it heat up faster. We did a wider diameters so we could put more used media into it. Numerous times, we redid the basket that collected the media to make it more efficient. Additionally, we changed some of the mounting bracket components on how the touch screen was bolted on so it would be more durable.

 

The large majority of the tank was TIG welded because it was stainless steel and you wouldn’t want spatter, which would be less consumer-friendly. TIG welding allows for the greatest operational control relative to MIG welding and creates stronger welds. TIG welding is more complex and difficult to learn, however, and is a much slower process than MIG welding.

 

We were able to heat the media of about two beds at a time; and since have improved it to about three beds worth. Additionally, an air conditioning unit reduced the heat faster, making the recycling process faster.

 

It was truly a collaboration of ideas.

• Prototype
• Short-Run

1. Confirm Scope
2. 3D Model
3. Shear
4. Form
5. Weld
6. Machine
7. Assemble
8. Integration of electronics from vendor & steel

"This is exactly what we asked for."