In the somewhat austere environment of clinics and doctors’ surgeries, SCHMITZ u. Söhne’s new arco gynaecological examination and treatment chairs certainly catch the eye. Not only does the arco offer medical practitioners and patients exceptional comfort, it is also a triumph of design thanks to its bright upholstery and contemporary, flowing form. And now the mid-sized manufacturer from Wickede (Ruhr) has won the Red Dot Award, one of the most prestigious international design prizes.
High standards in technology, design and function
The new examination and treatment chairs are simple, harmonious and seamless in appearance. Besides their distinctive look, the product designers were intent upon creating a chair with high technical and ergonomic functionality, closely geared towards the specific requirements of medical practitioners. Compared to the previous model, the new arco has a lower starting height, making it especially easy and safe for the patient to get into and out of the chair. The latest model of the examination chair is also suitable for patients weighing up to 250 kilograms, whereas previously the maximum supported load was 180 kilograms. The hand control unit with its simple and clear conceptional design allows for a quick and efficient triggering of the arco functions, e.g. adjustment into one of its up to four memory positions. In addition, the adjustment speed has been further optimized to provide more convenience for medical staff and noticeably save time.
Product design increasingly important in medical technology
“Winning the Red Dot Award means so much to us because we were up against the best in the industry in one of the world’s most famous design competitions,” explains Christian Drüge, head of SCHMITZ u. Söhne’s research and design department. “We realised a long time ago that product design is becoming increasingly important, even in the field of medical technology, because flowing forms and welcoming colours make the patient feel comfortable and less anxious. We have consistently applied this realisation to our product development ever since.” The result speaks for itself: for the eighth time since 2001 SCHMITZ products have been awarded the prestigious design prize.
This year companies from 54 countries entered products for the Red Dot Award. An international panel of experts judged the products thoroughly and individually over a number of days.
High standards in technology, design and function
The new examination and treatment chairs are simple, harmonious and seamless in appearance. Besides their distinctive look, the product designers were intent upon creating a chair with high technical and ergonomic functionality, closely geared towards the specific requirements of medical practitioners. Compared to the previous model, the new arco has a lower starting height, making it especially easy and safe for the patient to get into and out of the chair. The latest model of the examination chair is also suitable for patients weighing up to 250 kilograms, whereas previously the maximum supported load was 180 kilograms. The hand control unit with its simple and clear conceptional design allows for a quick and efficient triggering of the arco functions, e.g. adjustment into one of its up to four memory positions. In addition, the adjustment speed has been further optimized to provide more convenience for medical staff and noticeably save time.
Product design increasingly important in medical technology
“Winning the Red Dot Award means so much to us because we were up against the best in the industry in one of the world’s most famous design competitions,” explains Christian Drüge, head of SCHMITZ u. Söhne’s research and design department. “We realised a long time ago that product design is becoming increasingly important, even in the field of medical technology, because flowing forms and welcoming colours make the patient feel comfortable and less anxious. We have consistently applied this realisation to our product development ever since.” The result speaks for itself: for the eighth time since 2001 SCHMITZ products have been awarded the prestigious design prize.
This year companies from 54 countries entered products for the Red Dot Award. An international panel of experts judged the products thoroughly and individually over a number of days.
