High-Tech on Wheels – Smart Transport Between OR, Ward, and Recovery Room

COMBED is a renowned Chinese manufacturer of medical beds, stretchers, and chairs. We were tasked with fundamentally renewing the medical transfer cart design for the Asian market and adapting it to modern hospital infrastructure.

The Role of the Medical Transfer Cart in a Hospital

Modern hospitals today are often large building complexes with correspondingly long walking distances. Internal patient transport is thus becoming an increasingly significant factor. Transfer carts not only transport patients, they are also capable of retrieving and depositing them.

Two powerful batteries ensure that all mechanical functions can be performed throughout an entire day and that the transfer cart can be operated autonomously.

The medical sector places special demands on product design. Hygiene, load capacity, safety, and user orientation are at the center of medical transfer cart design.

The Requirements:

• Highest safety standards
• Static/mechanical load capacity
• Optimal hygiene
• Comfort for patient and staff
• Intuitive operation
• Compatibility with medical device standards
• Storage space for medical accessories
• Compact dimensions

New Appearance

Hospitals and clinics are changing architecturally – they move with the times. And so the aesthetics of furnishings and medical accessories also change. The COMBED transfer cart functions according to a proven principle but has been equipped with the latest components and features. Aesthetically, it integrates into a modern clinical environment. The heart of the medical transfer cart design is an exchangeable 24V platform that supplies power to the drive system, lifting columns, and recovery mechanism. The large casters, the drive including its controls, and the lifting columns come from TENTE. The complex recovery mechanism is our own development.

Ergonomics on a New Level

During transport and recovery, the patient is at the center. Comfortable loading and unloading is the key feature of the transfer cart. From hospital bed to operating table, from operating table to recovery room and back to a hospital bed – this is an everyday clinic scenario.

Two foldable safety rails, soft-start mechanisms, and rounded cladding parts help make transport comfortable for the patient. But we have also elevated operation to a new level for hospital staff. Transport happens almost by itself thanks to the motor. Ergonomic control elements and the display are perfectly tailored to the user.

Operation Reimagined

Through consistently electric support of the main functions, the cockpit takes on a central role. All important functions can be operated from there. Even the parking brakes and exchangeable batteries are easily accessible from the cockpit. Additionally, the user has an excellent overview of what's happening at all times.

We have provided 4 positions for an IV stand to optimally respond to needs. The chassis cladding contains the holder for a 4L oxygen cylinder. The position is ideally located at the center of gravity and keeps the rest of the cart organized.

Key Features of Our Medical Transfer Cart Design:

Safety and Reliability

• Electric drive system for effortless transport
• Dual battery system for all-day operation
• Integrated parking brakes within easy reach
• Foldable safety rails for patient protection

Hygiene and Maintenance

• Easy-to-clean surfaces and rounded components
• Minimal gaps to prevent contamination
• Durable materials for intensive clinical use

User-Centered Design

• Centralized cockpit for intuitive control
• Ergonomic positioning of all controls
• Clear visibility for operators
• Multiple IV stand positions for flexibility

Smart Integration

• Compatible with standard medical equipment
• Integrated oxygen cylinder storage at center of gravity
• Storage solutions for medical accessories
• Compact dimensions for narrow hospital corridors

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The Result: Modern Medical Transfer Cart Design

Our medical transfer cart design for COMBED combines proven functionality with cutting-edge technology and contemporary aesthetics. The result is a transfer cart that not only meets the highest medical standards but also supports the daily workflow of hospital staff while ensuring maximum comfort and safety for patients.

The electric support of all main functions, the well-thought-out ergonomics, and the modern appearance make this medical transfer cart design an example of how technical innovation and user-centered design create added value in the medical environment.