Abstract
This case study examines the design and development of a motorised ICU bed for the Indian healthcare market, with the dual objective of affordability and compliance with stringent medical device standards. The project brought together a multidisciplinary design team, clinical experts from the sponsoring company, and a domestic manufacturing partner. It highlights the challenges of creating a cost-effective product within regulatory and manufacturing constraints. The initial design prioritized aesthetics, user-centered features, and an innovative mechanical system for height adjustment. Although digital simulations indicated success, the first full-scale prototype revealed non-compliance with standard’s spatial requirements. This necessitated several design revisions, during which aesthetics were gradually compromised to meet regulatory and functional benchmarks. A major technical setback occurred when the custom-designed height adjustment mechanism failed in physical testing. Pressed for time, the team reverted to a more conventional solution that met compliance but lacked the intended design elegance. This experience underscored the limitations of relying solely on digital validation and the importance of early prototyping. The case reflects on the tensions between innovation, manufacturability, and regulatory compliance in medical product design. It offers insights into working within emerging market constraints and emphasizes the value of adaptive design thinking, early integration of regulatory frameworks, and pragmatic decision-making to achieve a viable and compliant healthcare solution.
Presenters
Purba JoshiProfessor, IDC School of Design, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Maharashtra, India Mandar Rane
Professor, IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay, Maharashtra, India Avinash Shende
Associate Professor, IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Medical device design, ICU bed, Design for manufacturing, Design iteration
