SURGITENT Extremity

For a long time, the operating theatre was synonymous with technical perfection – highly complex, site-specific, with a complex infrastructure. SURGITENT reverses this logic: “Taking the operating theatre to the patient” was the guiding principle. The result is a mobile, sterile room-in-room system that makes surgical procedures possible wherever they are needed, in practices, outpatient clinics or regions with limited operating theatre infrastructure, such as disaster areas. The special feature of SURGITENT Extremity is that at around 1.5 kg, it is very light and compactly packaged and can be set up for use without an additional power source. The innovative system is based on a polygonal frame structure that can be inflated and stiffened using a foot pump. This creates a clearly structured, sealed operating space with an integrated airlock system through which sterile instruments can be inserted. Based on the glove box principle, this enables contamination-free surgery directly on the patient. Particularly in time-critical or resource-poor situations, the system can thus become the decisive interface between availability and safety. “Design for extreme situations does not mean reduction at any price,” emphasises the development team. “It means that every element must fulfil a function and be intuitively accessible at the same time.” This is why the entire design language of SURGITENT follows the logic of hygienic safety, easy handling and clear processes. The material – translucent, puncture-resistant EVA film – is light, robust and pleasantly soft to the touch. It creates a light-flooded atmosphere and a high degree of visual contact, which not least strengthens patient confidence. SURGITENT was developed in an iterative process over several years in close collaboration with doctors from a wide range of specialities. With each prototype model, the product became more precise and the handling more intuitive. The jury’s verdict: “SURGITENT skilfully combines functionality, mobility and safety. The materiality and the inflatable structure complement each other to create a solution that is as simple as it is ingenious, making the system compact, easy to transport and quick to deploy. Especially in crisis scenarios or regions with weak infrastructure, SURGITENT creates new possibilities for surgical care – with little effort but great effect.”