Revolutionizing Patient Care: Stryker Medical's IsoTour™

Combining Innovation and Comfort for Enhanced Patient Support

Pressure injuries are a significant concern in healthcare, affecting over 2.5 million people in the United States annually. These injuries not only cause pain and increase the risk of serious infection, but they also lead to increased healthcare utilization. The average cost of a pressure injury can range from $20,000 to $151,700. Furthermore, 35,000 nurses miss work each year due to musculoskeletal injuries from repositioning patients in beds.

Enter the IsoTour™, a patient support surface designed by Stryker Medical. This innovative design uses a combination of structural gel, multiple foam compositions, and inflatable bladders to help reduce the risk of a patient acquiring a pressure injury while also reducing the effort it takes to reposition a patient. The patented gel technology and gel caps help to reduce the Tissue Interface Pressure (TIP), a key factor in the development of pressure injuries.

The IsoTour™ is not just about functionality; it also boasts a unique design that highlights its technical and clinical attributes, making it an attractive choice for healthcare providers. The design team, consisting of Patrick Lafleche, Justin Raymond, Jim Galer, Jason Paul, Tyler Wright, and Seyed Behrad Ghodsi, focused on creating a product that would stand out in the market while delivering exceptional performance.

The IsoTour™ is made using patented gel technology and gel caps that reduce TIP. The gel support surface can be converted into a powered product by connecting an external pump, providing enhanced micro-climate management and turn assist for at-risk patients. The product's unique TruTurn feature has a patented sacral offloading component, further enhancing its functionality.

Developing the IsoTour™ was a significant project that started in November 2015 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and concluded in December 2018. The design team faced numerous challenges, including creating a 6” tall hexagonal gel structure with minimal draft angles and gel caps at one end. They developed an innovative system of action rods in the tool that pull the gel out of the mold after the injection cycle, making it easy to manufacture.

The IsoTour™ has been recognized for its innovative design and functionality, winning the Silver A' Medical Devices and Medical Equipment Design Award in 2019. This award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. With multiple patents pending, the IsoTour™ is set to revolutionize patient care and comfort.