| |
In early 2003,
Tensys Medical, Inc. introduced the T-Line® Tensymeter, the first
noninvasive, continuous arterial blood pressure management system.
When the company was founded, its goal was to develop a noninvasive blood
pressure (NIBP) monitoring system that would provide the continuous, real-time
accuracy of direct, invasive arterial cannulation, which is used in less
than 12 percent of surgeries. In addition, it would serve as a replacement
for traditional cuff-based NIBP monitors, which measure blood pressure
intermittently every few minutes. Noninvasive, continuous monitoring enables
surgeons and physicians to respond quickly to significant and rapid changes
in blood pressure during surgery.
 |
| Non-invasive
continuous monitoring enables surgeons and physicians to respond
quickly to significant and rapid changes in blood pressure during
surgery. |
Fast and effective
product development was essential to the company’s successful pursuit
of this emerging $1 billion market. To come first to the marketplace with
an approved product, Tensys Medical implemented SolidWorks® 3D mechanical
CAD software to shorten its design cycle by 60 percent and to avoid protracted
prototyping, according to Russ Hempstead, senior engineer.
“Our design concept involves using an actuator to move a sensor
over the patient’s wrist to locate the optimal position for producing
a continuous waveform,” Hempstead explains. “The sensor has
to float within a rigid frame attached to a serpentine arm that is designed
to flex. When we began investigating plastic part designs for flexing,
we realized that we needed an analysis tool. The geometries were too complex
for hand calculations, and we wanted to avoid iterative prototype development.”
Hempstead says the company evaluated an assortment of analysis tools before
selecting COSMOSWorks® analysis software. Tensys Medical chose COSMOSWorks
software because of its integration with SolidWorks software, its broad
range of capabilities, and its affordability. In addition to COSMOSWorks,
Tensys Medical’s installation of SolidWorks software included PDMWorks®
product data management software and PhotoWorks™ photorealistic
rendering and graphics software.
“COSMOSWorks was just what we were looking for at an economical
price,” Hempstead says. “Because the software runs inside
SolidWorks, we avoid having to translate or convert models, and then use
PDMWorks to manage our analysis studies. We find the integration to be
completely seamless.”
Removing areas of high stress
By utilizing COSMOSWorks, Tensys Medical designers identified areas of
high stress in the initial design for the olefin-based serpentine arm
and used the analysis results to make design modifications. “In
our design work, we used COSMOSWorks as a design check,” Hempstead
recalls. “With the integration inside SolidWorks, we can quickly
check our design to determine if it will break under specified loads,
change the design based on the analysis results, and then optimize it
for reliability.”
“Our original design had significant stress risers in it that, due
to the flexing that occurs, would have resulted in a short life span for
the part. Because of the information provided by our COSMOSWorks analyses,
we were able to virtually eliminate the high stresses and produce a part
that can flex almost indefinitely,” he adds.
Using analysis studies to avoid prototypes
By implementing SolidWorks and COSMOSWorks software, Tensys Medical avoided
costly and time-consuming prototype development. “On the design
of the serpentine arm, COSMOSWorks reduced the costs of materials, prototype
development, and development time,” Hempstead notes.
The Tensys Medical design involves using an actuator to move a sensor
over the patient’s wrist, while the sensor floats within a rigid
frame attached to a flexible serpentine arm. Tensys Medical engineers
use COSMOSWorks software to analyze geometries that are too complex for
hand calculations.
 |
 |
| The
Tensys design involves using an actuator to move a sensor over the
patient's wrist. The sensor floats within a rigid frame attached
to a flexible serpentine arm. Tensys engineers use COSMOSWorks software
to analyze geometries that are too complex for hand calculations.
|
“If we
had used prototypes, we would probably still be working on the design.
With COSMOSWorks, we were able to iterate on the design in just a few
days, by doing seven or eight analysis studies, and then optimize the
design.”
He adds that the changing nature of the design also obviated the use of
prototypes. “Since most of our geometries change frequently, iterating
multiple times on a design is not uncommon. So analysis represents a more
efficient and effective route for design verification and validation,”
Hempstead says.
Accelerating time-to-market
COSMOSWorks played a significant role in helping Tensys Medical bring
the first noninvasive, continuous, real-time blood pressure monitor to
market. “We needed the analysis results to pursue what ultimately
became our final design. This not only reduced our material costs, but
also shortened our manufacturing time, while accelerating time-to-market,”
Hempstead explains. “If we had gone back and forth through the use
of prototypes, the process would have taken two to three times longer.”
“Our product is on the market and has been well received by the
anesthesiologists and operating room personnel, in large part due to the
COSMOSWorks analysis results,” Hempstead adds. “We find COSMOSWorks
to be an invaluable tool for developing our products.”
Metrics:
• Shortened design cycle by 60 percent
• Reduced material costs and manufacturing time
• Optimized design for flexibility and reliability
• Innovated first product in new market space
For more information:
Tensys Medical, Inc.
5825 Oberlin Drive
Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92121-3709 USA
Phone: 858 552 1941
Fax: 858 552 1944
www.tensysmedical.com
|
