Revolutionary oxygen delivery system designed with SolidWorks

Published: 4-Jul-2005


Southmedic designs and manufactures surgical and operating room products for OEM and end-user markets. In 1997, management recognised the limitations of the existing 2D system and began evaluating 3D approaches to product design.

"We wanted a CAD system that would help us take a product from concept to manufacturing and tooling design more efficiently," explained engineering manager Maurice Lavimodiere. "We needed a design system that would be more reliable and robust." After evaluating several 3D packages, Southmedic selected SolidWorks 3D modelling software and began to develop the OxyArm oxygen delivery system, the first 'open' oxygen delivery system on the market. "Existing oxygen delivery systems produced a level of patient dissatisfaction and discomfort," Lavimodiere noted. "Oxygen masks can feel claustrophobic and create unpleasant odours. Nasal cannulas can produce nasal burns, chafing, and sinus sensitivity. We set out to develop a product that would allow oxygen to be delivered through a headset and address these areas of dissatisfaction." The challenge was to eliminate the need to clamp the apparatus to the patient's ears while still providing uninterrupted oxygen flow. The apparatus was designed so that movement of the patient's head would not disturb it. This way, the boom that delivers oxygen to the diffuser remains stable. "Plastics design is a highly iterative process, requiring numerous design changes," Lavimodiere explained. "SolidWorks makes handling these design changes much easier. The FeatureManager in the programme means the designer can make a change, and all of the associated parts, assemblies, moulds, and drawings update automatically." Communicating product concepts is another requirement, because in addition to developing its own line of products, Southmedic develops and communicates design concepts to OEM customers on a regular basis. "Because SolidWorks has such realistic rendering features, I can develop a product concept on site during the first meeting and either animate it on screen or print it," stated Lavimodiere. "The design cycle for the OxyArm was about three months, and I estimate that product development was 30-40% faster with the system."

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