“In the last five years, we have gradually replaced all of our old OR tables with OR tables from TRUMPF – a total of 23 tables so far,” says Paul Vink, an anaesthesiologist assistant for 22 years at the Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum (LUMC) in Leiden, the Netherlands. It’s no surprise that Vink knows OR equipment. Th at’s why the hospital has long looked to him as the expert when it comes to investing in logistics and equipment for anaesthesiology and the OR. Th at was the way it was seven years ago when the search for new OR tables began. Th e selection was narrowed down to two companies, one being TRUMPF.

“The decision at that time was not made lightly,” recalls Vink. “For each company, we spent a day with all the specialists and OR teams to closely examine all the functions and options of the tables. Th en we tested each product for about four to six weeks, during which time teams from diff erent surgical fields, including ear, nose and throat specialists, ophthalmology, thorax and back surgery, urology and orthopaedics were involved. In the end, we decided in favour of the TRUMPF OR tables.”

The Jupiter and Mars OR tables to be exact. Vink explains why these tables beat the competitors: “We use Mars mostly for ORs in which patients lie on their backs. We use the Jupiter for more complicated positions and procedures. However as components from both tables can be interchanged, we have complete freedom to prepare either of the tables for almost any OR procedure and in any available OR room. Another reason for the decision was TRUMPF’s openness to special requests which they are able to implement whenever possible. But even more important was the product and price ratio.”

It’s a question of price: Highly flexible tables not only make the hospital’s daily routine easier, as the LUMC recognized, but also more cost eff ective. The response from TRUMPF to this price issue is the modular design principle of their tables. The main focus is that all users can receive the exact table that they require – an aff ordable universal OR table for all medical situations, instead of many expensive specialized tables. As such TRUMPF created the Mars and Jupiter tables, as well as the new heavy-load Titan table, as true quick-change artists. Users can individually configure the table to accommodate each surgical discipline, access to the OR area, the patient’s or surgeon’s body size, as well as the available floor space in the OR. Using extension segments, the table tops can be extended and shortened to almost any preferred length, and they are equipped with special modules for all patient positions. The Mars positioning surface can be divided by up to nine sections. There is no limit to the combination of options as all modules from any model, whether older or newer table versions, are completely interchangeable. This includes head and leg plates, extensions, shoulder adapters or positioning modules for neurosurgery. No other competitor offers a comparable wealth of variants – especially not the universal coupling system necessary for configuring the tables. TRUMPF developed this coupling system specifically for its tables and has filed a patent for it.

This unique coupling system is the key to the conversion capability of TRUMPF tables and therefore also their cost effectiveness. The motto is: Whatever helps and fits is allowed – but only to the extent that the table’s statics and stability as well as the patient’s safety are guaranteed. TRUMPF has standardised and mechanically coded the coupling points to prevent incorrect or unsafe connections from being made. Many elements of the table are positioned by means of an electric motor to allow for better orientation. A signal sounds as soon as the zero position of the worktop being operated is reached.

Does working with so many modules also mean the table is user-friendly? Is assembly and disassembly a chore? Paul Vink and his team at LUMC have also had good experiences with these aspects. “It is very easy to interchange components and you can always prepare the table precisely with a bit of creativity, so that the surgeon is satisfied and the patient is safely positioned. In doing so, we use the parts ‘very freely’ with each other. Should a small child come in who needs a cast, we simply attach a hand plate and turn the child 90 degrees and then the cast is much easier to apply. For heavy patients, we simply use widening sections.”

The only limitation for the Dutch: “For orthopaedic procedures, you need a shoulder section and an extension. Admittedly, the shoulder section is a bit heavy. However, to help with this, a trolley will soon be available from TRUMPF that will make it easy to dock this item on quickly. Docking the extension requires almost no muscle power at all.” In fact, some modules are not very lightweight – a tribute to the tables’ safety and stability right down to the last detail. TRUMPF will not stop paying that tribute until it is sure that it has found a material that is lighter in weight and just as reliable as the heavier material.

Regarding material, carbon-fibre may not be able to take an unlimited load, but it is an important element in the modular interplay for interoperative diagnostics. LUMC currently prefers to use a fully translucent TRUMPF carbon-fibre table top for x-rays under the C-arm – instead of a competitor’s product which is left standing idle nearby. If needed, the hospital can add to its carbon-fibre product line at any time, from individual plate sections to helmets, ball joints and adapters.

“We are extremely pleased with the TRUMPF products,” confirms Vink and, as one who obviously likes to tinker, adds: “Now I think it would be useful if there were a forum where you could talk to other users and TRUMPF about how the modules can be used, interchanged as well as finding out about new configurations with existing sections or coming up with ideas for new sections.”