First launched in 2009 and designed expressly to meet the researched requirements of patients and hospital teams, the Independence Innov8 hospital beds developed and manufactured by healthcare equipment suppliers Sidhil are fast gaining a reputation for quality, performance and flexibility.
The only hospital bed to be manufactured in the UK, the Independence Innov8 range is designed around detailed research into current and projected requirements. It consolidates the input of professionals including TVNs, infection control nurses and manual handling specialists, and can be configured to meet individual hospital needs.
Key principles behind the original design included ease of use and world class infection control, as well as reliability and low maintenance requirements. The beds incorporate superb ergonomics in terms of both manual handling and user comfort for applications from utility ward beds through to high dependency environments,
Independence Innov8 features include solid platform panels with ridges for breathability to simplify decontamination and improve infection control. The beds adjust to an extremely low level for added safety and convenience in use, with electrically operated functions including auto contouring to give simultaneous adjustment of backrest and kneebreak. Auto regression avoids surface pinching or occupant sliding when in the Fowler position.
Designed to offer safe working loads up to 255kg (40 stone), the Independence Innov8 is available in three modular designs, incorporating facilities such as standard and high cantilever side rails, split side rails and an X-ray translucent backrest, reducing the need for patient transfer to alternative platforms.
An exceptionally wide range of castor options optimises the balance between bed height and manoeuvrability, whilst a special night pack option uses low-power, high-brightness LEDs to eliminate the need for more expensive ward lighting.
In addition, all models in the range feature attractive white epoxy coating incorporating BioCote ® antibacterial agents, inhibiting the growth of micro-organisms and reducing the possibility of cross-contamination and infection.
Sidhil’s UK-based manufacturing facilities ensure fast and reliable access to technical support including parts, service and maintenance. The Independence Innov8 bed range is supplied with a three year warranty (one year parts and labour, two years parts only).
Making the decision and the necessary investment to bring to market a totally new concept in hospital beds demands commitment, faith in the strength of the idea and confidence in the manufacturing process, combined with a vision for an advanced product designed around inherent strength, comfort, improved ergonomics, value for money and essential flexibility.
At Sidhil, exhaustive research into the real requirements of the acute and private hospital market and the need to progress product design to meet these needs has led to the development of an innovative new acute care bed range, known as the Independence Innov8.
The birth of a bed – a planned, step by step approach
Work on the new Independence Innov8 began early in 2008, with the creation of a detailed design brief developed by Sidhil’s sales and marketing team, based on market knowledge and consultation with customers and users, focused on generating an informed specification and conceptual ideas.
Technical Manager Chris Bird’s established R&D department had already resourced up to service the project, recruiting an extra four staff including product designers and mechanical engineers.
“This exercise highlighted a particular skills gap in our market,” commented Chris Bird. “It was a challenge to find suitable designers and engineers as the skills required were very specific. However, it was a challenge we overcame and we now have a strong and focused team with the necessary expertise to deliver complex projects.”
The expanded technical team used their experience and market knowledge to translate the design brief into a coherent and detailed engineering design and specification. This initial specification was then put in front of a focus group for discussion, bringing together specialists from the fields of manual handling, tissue viability, nursing management, various clinical disciplines, medical engineering, product distribution and procurement. Their valued contribution played an important part in validating the specification, and work began in earnest on the engineering design.
Fast tracking the design cycle
Typical product design cycles can take up to two years from initial specification through to finished product; Sidhil has achieved this inside 12 months, assisted by investment in sophisticated software and complemented by the availability of the company’s own advanced manufacturing plant and skilled workforce, which has significantly speeded up notoriously difficult area such as product prototyping and testing.
Introduction of FEA (Finite Element Analysis) software at Sidhil allows the team to strength test and validate designs with much higher confidence and expectation that they will pass the necessary physical strength tests. This process also facilitates accurate design verification to check designs in theory on paper prior to the actual manufacture of expensive prototypes.
In addition, investment in dedicated in-house test equipment allows exhaustive testing which significantly exceeds standards and legislation, combining the requirements of current standards plus anticipated new international standards including IEC 60601-2-52 for Medical Electrical Equipment, covering particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance of medical beds (forecast publication April 2009).
Evaluating the prototype
At prototype stage, the original focus group was invited back to discuss and evaluate, resulting in subtle changes as a result of feedback and considerations. This process was followed by a further detailed design review to validate the physical product against the original specification.
“Comfort was a prime consideration for Sidhil in the design and development of the Independence Innov8 range, particularly in view of our decision to move from an ‘active seat’ to an auto regression backrest,” commented Managing Director James Ibbotson.
“We have also innovated further with the introduction of column actuators as opposed to linear activators as the lift mechanism for the bed, reducing mechanical structure, improving aesthetic appeal and facilitating easier cleaning – of prime importance in this field.”
Marketing the Independence Innov8
Whilst the development work was in progress, Sidhil’s sales and marketing team were looking closely at the planned launch of the products.
“We believe we have effectively rewritten the rule book on hospital beds, introducing our new Independence Innov8 range to meet the researched requirements of patients and hospital teams,” stated Sales & Marketing Director Clive Siddall. “What’s more, when demonstrating the bed to potential customers, they have been most impressed by its stability, strength and versatility.”
These are bold claims, but the specification of the products certainly looks solid. Available in three models, the Independence Innov8 range reflects the detailed research carried out by Sidhil, consolidating the input of professionals including TVNs, infection control nurses and manual handling specialists.
A flexible approach
The range aims to provide total flexibility in terms of bed specification for applications from utility ward beds through to high dependency environments, and can be configured to meet individual hospital needs.
Designed around key principles including ease of use, world class infection control and performance, Independence Innov8 beds are reliable and easy to maintain, incorporating superb ergonomics in terms of both manual handling and user comfort.
Solid platform panels with ridges for breathability simplify decontamination and improve infection control, with the bed adjusting to an extremely low level for added safety and convenience in use. Electrically operated functions include auto contouring, giving simultaneous adjustment of backrest and kneebreak, with auto regression avoiding surface pinching or occupant sliding when in the Fowler position.
Modular design
Designed to offer safe working loads up to 255kg (40 stone), the Independence Innov8 is available in three modular designs, incorporating facilities such as standard and high cantilever side rails, split side rails and an X-ray translucent backrest, reducing the need for patient transfer to alternative platforms.
An exceptionally wide range of castor options optimises the balance between bed height and manoeuvrability, whilst a special night pack option uses low-power, high-brightness LEDs to eliminate the need for more expensive ward lighting.
Accessories include lifting poles, ‘Balkan Beam’ traction, drip poles and oxygen cylinder carriers, with factory fitted options including high side rails and IP66 ingress protection. Customers can choose from a variety of colour options for head and foot ends to clearly identify which beds are associated with which wards.
In addition, all models in the range feature attractive white epoxy coating incorporating BioCote ® antibacterial agents, inhibiting the growth of micro-organisms and reducing the possibility of cross-contamination and infection.
“This new beds will be manufactured in the UK at Sidhil’s production plant in Halifax, West Yorkshire,” confirmed Clive Siddall. “This means that customers will benefit from fast and reliable access to technical support including parts, service and maintenance – in short, the total support package from qualified experts available and easily accessible anywhere in the country.”
