Developing more efficient instrument reprocessing solutions
As Getinge looks back on 80 years of creating medtech solutions in Växjö, Sweden, the R&D team for washers-disinfectors is focusing on new EcoDesign features and the growing demand for efficient endoscope reprocessing.
“We are making continuous progress when it comes to minimizing the consumption of energy, water and detergent. Our Aquadis 56 washer-disinfector dynamically adjusts the amount of water and detergent for each load configuration and in our new index washer we will add even more efficiency,” says Jonas Johansson, who heads the R&D department in Växjö.
With hospitals moving towards fewer open surgeries, the reprocessing of complex and heat sensitive surgical instruments is another important area for the R&D team in Växjö. Getinge’s endoscope reprocessing portfolio is part of the site’s scope. From a sustainability perspective, reprocessing without need for heating water to +90°C is also a lean solution for saving energy and other resources.
“We have established relationships with most major manufacturers of endoscopes to ensure that our equipment and reprocessing processes are compatible with their products,” Jonas says.
The quality system in Växjö is on par with the Medical Device Regulation (MDR), and most of the products are transferred from the Medical Device Directive (MDD) to MDR.
The facility, which began its operations back in 1943, benefits from having a full range of functions, from product development, sales, purchasing and Quality and Regulatory Compliance to manufacturing and aftermarket, under the same roof. The R&D team is carrying out work in a brand-new test lab.
“The concentration of resources is an advantage. Cross-functional interaction becomes fast, and we can be agile each step of way, which begins and ends where it really counts – in our customers’ central sterile supply departments (CSSDs). Meeting the end user before the development starts is key to pinpointing their needs and possible improvements,” Jonas explains.
The R&D team also has close ties with other washer-disinfector units within the company’s global operations, such as the experts on cleaning chemistries in Derby in the United Kingdom.
“Being close to other Getinge facilities helps us integrate all important aspects in our development. In addition to the internal interaction, we are cooperating with universities and university hospitals in exciting research projects,” Jonas concludes.