Organ care and support system for transplantation

Overview

RDS partnered with a medical based organ life support company to design and produce a portable organ support system designed to extend the life of an organ during transportation in preparation for a transplant. The system was required to integrate proprietary systems within a rugged, all-in-one PC platform capable of reliable operation in demanding medical environments. RDS delivered a fully industrialised hardware display and processing sub assembly, supporting rapid development from concept through to scalable production.

Challenge & Objectives

The customer required a display and processing solution that could:

• Integrate proprietary oxigenation and temperature control systems within a single, portable unit
• Incorporate a 8.4" projected capacitive (PCAP) touchscreen
• Support a high-performance single board computer (SBC)
• Control complex hardware for organ support
• Include IP-rated human interface devices (HID) suitable for harsh environments
• Remain lightweight and portable without compromising ruggedness

The solution needed to balance performance, durability and portability, while meeting stringent medical demands.

Design & Development

RDS engineered a fully industrialised subsystem, using the customer's proof-of-concept unit as a reference point. The design process focused on upgrading all critical components to ensure long-term reliability in harsh operating conditions.

Key elements of the design included:

• 8.4" PCAP touchscreen for intuitive, high visibility control
• High-performance SBC to support mission-critical applications
• Robust internal architecture to manage and monitor complex hardware
• IP-rated HID devices for reliable operation in medical environments
• Robust but light construction to reduce weight while maintaining strength
• Compact, portable form factor optimised for deployment flexibility

Materials, thermal management and mechanical design were carefully considered to deliver a perfect solution, without unnecessary size or weight penalties.

Production & Deployment

RDS delivered functional prototypes in under 12 weeks from the initial engagement. An iterative design approach enabled rapid refinement, ensuring the sub assembly was optimised for manufacturability and scalability. This allowed the customer to move quickly from prototype to production readiness.

Outcome & Impact

The rapid transition from concept to production enabled the customer to be quick to market in a highly competitive medical market. The successful deployment of the sub assembly helped secure large-volume orders and positioned the customer strongly within the medical sector.

Key Takeaways

• Portable, rugged all-in-one subassembly for organ support
• 8.4" PCAP touchscreen with high-performance SBC
• Integration of proprietary safety and control systems
• Lightweight construction for improved portability
• Rapid prototyping and scalable production capability

RDS delivers end-to-end hardware design and manufacturing solutions for medical applications, supporting customers from early concept through to volume production.