Latest news on product developments and product improvements
Welcome to the semi-annual Product Development Newsletter. The intent of this newsletter is to let everyone know what is happening with both current products, and products we plan to launch. We will be sending this out every January and July. We hope you find this useful and enjoy sharing in more knowledge about what is happening at InnerSpace!
Product Improvements
A Product Improvement project happens when we make less complex changes to an existing product. Product Improvement projects can typically be completed in one quarter. In 2022, we focused on the development of a series of new Endoscopy products. In early 2023 we shifted our focus to Product Improvements allowing us time to identify what new products to develop. Our product improvement list had grown to 41 recommended improvements and was continuing to grow. We realized we needed resources and a process to prioritize these improvements. We added Dan Krueger as Sustainability Engineer to focus 100% of his time on product improvements. In addition to Dan’s time, we have been able to use 44% of our Product Development resources towards Product Improvements this year. We also created a process to identify and prioritize each improvement. Here are the Product Improvement projects that are completed, in progress and on deck for 2023.
Completed:
Evolve:
InterConnect Lock
Developed latch housing & moving parts for the motor.
Developed a housing for the user interface.
Created a battery enclosure to work with cabinets.
Roll-Top E-lock
Integrated the Roam roll-top InterConnect lock latch to work with Evolve.
Created a new housing for the lock.
Created a housing for the PCB & cables.
Roam:
Functional Improvements
Rotated one of the mounting holes for all 4 corner posts (reduces the distance corner posts and the likelihood shelves/drawers will fall).
The center column design was changed to increase its strength by ~60%.
A cross-functional team was involved that collaborated to make sure the changes made fixed our issues with falling shelves/drawers .
Dan Krueger, Jon Britton, Bill Nelson, Stephanie DeMartin, Jay Wayman & the Production Team, Charlie Price & Chris Burgess
Side-Mount Adjustable Rails
Updated to work with the new Roam corner extrusions.
Accessories are now able to adjust to any height due to T-nut attachment style.
Open and Closed Suture Cart
Base design was reduced.
Shelf widths were increased.
Pace:
Drawer Screws Stripping
Investigated & determined torque limiting driver was not being used due to damage (driver has been fixed and is now being used again).
O2 Tank Holder
Moved from plastic to steel mounting strap.
Closed the opening loop for the Velcro strap to stop this from bending.
Ventaire:
Transport Carts
Added biohazard label option.
After we received feedback from our clinical trial at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, we added an option for a handle to our SVSTC5 Scope Transport Cart.
SVSTC5 Scope Transport Cart with handle at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo
Ventaire Screen Improvements
Changed the screen standoffs from 6mm to 8mm (stops screen from flickering and turning blue when doors are shut).
In Process:
Evolve:
Hinge Improvements
Current hinge has issue with clicking/squeaking.
Ensure door stays closed until a user opens the door.
Target Completion Date: Q3 2023
Scope Cabinet Re-Design
Designing a fix to ensure scopes cords always fall within the drip tray footprint.
Creating more room to access the back scopes.
Adding holes in HDPE cord retainer for tubing.
Finding a solution for holding "small scope", for example Karl Storz.
Target Completion Date: Q4 2023
Roam:
Tether Improvements
We are designing a solution for Unistrut wall systems so that we will be compliant with Seismic regulations in California.
Target Completion Date: Q3 2023
Aesthetics and Assembly Improvements
We are working on the trim for the center column so it hides the gap that is present currently.
Target Completion Date: Q3 2023
Pace:
InterConnect Lock Battery Pack
Ensure the battery packs maintain a closed circuit consistently.
Improve the battery replacement process and battery pack replacement process.
Target Completion Date: Q3 2023
Ventaire:
Drying Unit noise
Looking to reduce overall noise from compressor.
Target Completion Date: Q4 2023
3-D printed F-connectors
Optimize for 3-D printing.
Target Completion Date: Q3 2023
On Deck:
Roam Bumpers
Ensure bumpers stay secured to the base.
Target Completion Date: Q4 2023
Evolve Door Gap Improvement
Improve/eliminate scope cabinet door gaps around perimeter and front.
Target Completion Date: Q4 2023
Product Development
A Product Development project happens when we make more complex changes to an existing product. Product Development projects will typically take more than 1 quarter to complete. Here are the Product Development projects completed and in process for 2023.
Completed:
Ventaire Cabinet Technology Improvements
Resolved bug causing loss of internet connectivity.
Removed red color alerts from temp and humidity readings.
Reduced long term performance degradation.
Support ethernet static IP configuration.
Support WiFi USB configuration.
Resolved bug where USB imported users would get deleted.
In Process:
Pace Cart Refresh
Fixing issues with carts tipping when all the drawers are open.
Eliminate issues with bumpers falling off.
Reducing the gauge of the drawers to cover other cost impacts.
Reducing lock bar noise.
Reducing overall cart noise when in transport.
Target Completion Date: Q4 2023
A rendering of the future Pace cart base
New Product Development
A New Product Development project happens when we create a product we do not currently offer. This can include expansions to our existing offering or products that are not part of our existing offering. Investing in product development is an investment in our future. Our target is to put more than 80% of our Product Development resources towards both Product Development & New Product Development projects. In Q1, we hit 47%, and Q2, we hit 56%. We are estimating 81% in Q3. Here are the New Product Development projects that are in process and on deck for 2023.
In Process:
Leak Detection Unit
The product launch is currently in the Beta Phase. We have a total of seven phases for product development. Beta is the fourth phase.
Beta and Integration testing are ongoing.
Med device testing has started.
ISTA packaging testing is planned.
Clinical testing round 1 is complete and fixes are being addressed.
Clinical testing round 2 is planned.
Life Cycle testing is planned.
Target Completion Date: Q4 2023
Leak Detection Unit in clinical testing at Bon Secours
Ventaire Pass-Through Cabinet
Sample cabinet is complete. The project team is completing the process to make this a standard offering.
Target Completion Date: Q3 2023
Endo Logbook
Data is automatically captured from other InnerSpace devices or the barcodes scanned directly from the logbook.
Customers can expect their staff to follow consistent, documented, quality control to reprocess scopes every time.
Data is prepared in an easy to access web tool that is audit ready.
Target Completion Date: Q1 2024
Endoscopy Data Platform
All endoscopy devices send scope and user data to a centralized location in the cloud.
All endoscopy devices can download a single scope and user list from the cloud.
Devices compatible include: Drying & Tracking Cabinet, Drying Unit, Leak Detection Unit, Logbook, Flushing Aid (future).
The product launch is currently in the Alpha Phase. We have a total of seven phases for product development. Alpha is the second of these seven phases.
