In the fast-paced environment of healthcare, small medical carts on wheels are revolutionizing efficiency and mobility. Learn about their applications, development process, and compliance challenges.
The History and Transformation of Medical Carts
Medical carts have a long history that dates back to the early days of modern medicine. Initially, they were simple, static pieces of furniture used to store and transport medical supplies within a hospital. Over time, the design of these carts evolved to incorporate wheels and other components, increasing their mobility and functionality.
With advancements in technology and a growing emphasis on efficiency in healthcare settings, medical carts have transformed significantly. Modern medical carts are now highly specialized, designed to meet specific needs such as housing a medical device, dispensing medications, and even providing mobile computer workstations for healthcare professionals.
Standard Applications: From Laptop Carts to Medication Carts
Medical carts developed for a standard application are often designed for mass distribution. They are typically purchased as manufactured, so there are little to no customization options. These carts are great for medical care organizations looking to supply their facilities with out of the box mobility solutions. Small medical carts on wheels serve a variety of purposes in healthcare settings.
Laptop Carts
One common application is the laptop cart, which allows healthcare professionals to access and update patient records at the bedside. These carts are equipped with power supply units, secure storage compartments, and adjustable heights to enhance ergonomics and efficiency.
Carts With Drawers
Another popular type is the cart with drawers, often used for storing medical supplies, instruments, and personal protective equipment (PPE). These carts are designed to keep essential items organized and easily accessible, reducing the time spent searching for supplies.
Medication Carts
Medication carts are another critical application, designed to securely store and transport medications. These carts often include features such as lockable drawers, barcode scanners, and medication administration records (MARs) to ensure accurate and secure medication distribution.
Custom Applications: User or Device Specific
Medical carts developed for a custom application are often designed to meet an acute care need. These carts are typically initiated by medical device manufacturers looking to enhance the sales of their device or care networks that need to enhance their facilities. A manufacturer that specializes in custom medical carts may also offer standard cart platforms as a way to quickly start common applications.
Device-Integrated Carts
Device-integrated medical carts seamlessly combine mobility with advanced medical equipment. These carts are designed to house and power a variety of medical devices, such as patient monitors, ventilators, and diagnostic tools, allowing healthcare professionals to deliver critical care at the point of need.
By integrating a medical device directly into the cart, these solutions enhance workflow efficiency, reduce the need for multiple trips to stationary equipment, and ensure that essential technology is always within reach.
Engineering and Design: Crafting the Perfect Medical Cart
The development of a small medical cart on wheels can be simple and fairly quick or quite involved depending on the application or needs of the customer. Standard cart platforms at HUI were designed to allow small modifications and a much faster path to manufacturing, whereas a fully custom approach can be much more involved. The engineering process is tailored to the needs of the customer and also influenced by a complex compliance process.
1. Concept & Design (Est. 4 Weeks)
The Concept & Design process starts with a discovery meeting to understand the specific needs and challenges faced by your team and healthcare professionals. This is followed by an concept for a cart that is both functional and ergonomic, ensuring it can easily navigate the often cramped and busy environments of hospitals and clinics. It's important to avoid over-designing the cart during this stage and keep your target price and goals in mind. Afterwards, the concept is refined and finalized for approval before moving into engineering.
2. Engineering (Est. 8-10 Weeks)
Engineering is the next stage of the process. During this stage, engineers will begin to model the product design and begin to bring it to life. Design for Manufacturing (DFM) occurs in this stage as engineers start to optimize the components needed to manufacture and assemble the medical cart. The goal in this stage is to begin to prepare the cart for manufacturing and aim for consistency in production.
Materials selection is another critical part of the process, as the cart must often be durable, easy to clean, and resistant to common disinfectants. Learn more about common materials and finishes used in medical carts.
3. Prototyping (Est. 4-6 Weeks)
Prototyping is the final step before compliance. Once a satisfactory design is achieved, it is subjected to rigorous quality assurance processes to ensure it meets the highest standards of safety and reliability. Prototypes will be manufactured and assembled to ensure the cart meets all functional requirements. One cart is supplied to the customer and the other is assembled to provide an accredited lab that ensures compliance with IEC 60601-1 standards.
Compliance Matters: Navigating IEC 60601-1 Standards
When a cart is integrated with electronic medical devices, it must comply with IEC 60601-1 standards. These standards specify the general requirements for the safety and essential performance of medical electrical equipment. Compliance ensures that the equipment is safe for both patients and healthcare providers.
Learn More About IEC 60601-1 For Medical Carts
Achieving IEC 60601-1 compliance involves rigorous testing to assess various factors such as electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, and mechanical hazards. This process can be complex and may require design modifications to meet the stringent requirements. However, compliance is crucial for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medical devices, ultimately enhancing patient care.
Manufacturers that specialize in medical cart development, such as HUI, may perform the mechanical tests for your cart in advance to help expedite the compliance process and prepare your cart for an accredited testing lab.
Preparing to Launch: Pilot Runs and Revisions
As a small medical cart on wheels is nearing the end of the development process it may go through a few more steps. These steps vary in length depending on the customer and their individual needs.
4. Product Pilot (Variable)
The pilot stage helps the customer learn about the how their customers are interacting with product in the field. The duration of this stage varies widely along with the device or application. A simple product may need little feedback - whereas advanced systems may require a lot more feedback. After the customers pilot stage is complete, revisions will likely be made to the carts design.
Small device-integrated medical cart prototype.
Prototype Developed by HUI Medical Carts. Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved.
5. Revision & Improvement (Variable)
The final stage in the process will include revisions to your product. If you are working with a seasoned medical cart manufacturer like HUI, they will likely include a Continuous Improvement stage. This goal at the improvement stage is to create efficiencies before ramping up into full time production. Cost, labor, and consistent quality are the key focus at this stage.
Future Trends: The Next Generation of Medical Carts
As technology continues to advance, the future for small medical carts on wheels looks promising. One emerging trend is the integration of smart technologies, such as IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence), to enhance functionality and improve patient outcomes. For instance, smart carts can track inventory in real-time, ensuring that supplies are always stocked and readily available.
Another trend is the increasing focus on modular design, allowing carts to be easily customized and reconfigured to meet changing needs. This flexibility is particularly valuable in dynamic healthcare environments where requirements can shift rapidly. Additionally, sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs are becoming more prevalent, reflecting a broader commitment to environmental responsibility in medical device manufacturing.
If you are considering the development of a custom device-integrated medical cart, we recommend downloading some of the essentials from our Free Resource Library.
