Equipment handling in hospitals could now be considerably easier, following Finnish company Manner Castors’ development of “the first castor ever” to feature an electronic, remotely-operated lock fitted inside the smooth-rolling castor itself.
“Modern hospital beds typically have castors, which still have to be manually locked and unlocked,” says Jukka Manner, marketing director. “Our Manner e-Smart castor eliminates the need for nurses to repeatedly bend over and reach for the brake. A light touch of the finger is all that is needed to lock and unlock the wheels.” Jukka Manner claims many problems with back pain and repetitive strain injury could be eliminated simply by using “more user-friendly” castors, adding: “The e-Smart castors are connected to the remote control by thin cables, with no need for complicated mechanical components, while special ball bearings ensure reliable, easy rolling and turning.” Four Nordic medical equipment manufacturers are currently testing the castor, which will be available early next year.
