Innovative Medical Devices for Cost-Effective Healthcare Solutions

An Innovative Wheel System for Safety and Hygiene

Block Dust and Dirt: The patented wheel adapter acts as a shield at the junction between the wheel and the furniture leg (the tube or pipe of equipment). It prevents dust, dirt, and bio-debris from climbing up into the hollow leg of hospital furniture or carts. By sealing that gap, the adapter stops an neglected accumulation of grime where bacteria could thrive. Equipment legs stay cleaner inside and out, eliminating a potential breeding ground for germs and making overall cleaning easier

Sustainable practices in hospital furniture and equipment development.

Hands typing on a laptop with a stethoscope resting on the wooden table beside it. The setting suggests a work environment that combines technology with healthcare.

The scene depicts an operating room or medical setup with a surgical table covered in a light blue sterile sheet. Surrounding the table are various pieces of medical equipment, including monitoring devices and anesthesia machines. Shelves in the background hold additional medical supplies.

A close-up view of an ophthalmology machine, typically used for eye examinations. The device features a white, industrial design with various lenses and adjustment knobs. It is mounted on a metallic arm attached to a support stand, next to a black cushioned chair.

Healthcare Innovation

Transforming healthcare processes with cutting-edge medical devices.

Steel Coast responds to these challenges with a revolutionary wheel system that makes hospital and industrial mobility cleaner, safer, and smarter. Rather than a standard caster, the HETO wheel system is a combination of a patented adapter and carefully selected high-performance wheels working together. This innovative system is engineered to:

Enable Easy, Tool-Free Wheel Removal: Uniquely, the HETO adapter allows quick release of the wheel without any tools. Staff can simply click and detach the caster from the furniture leg in seconds. This means wheels on hospital beds, IV stands, utility carts, veterinary tables, etc. can be removed for thorough cleaning, disinfection, or even sterilization whenever needed. No need for maintenance crews with wrenches staff can swiftly pop the wheels off for routine cleaning. This feature directly targets the infection spread problem: with wheels easy to remove and sanitize, there’s remarkable less chance for pathogens to linger on rolling equipment and migrate between rooms. Regular cleaning of casters becomes practical and quick, supporting hospital infection control protocols.

Maintain ESD Continuity (Anti-Static Protection): Every component of the HETO wheel system is designed for electrostatic discharge (ESD) continuity. The adapter and the wheels form a conductive path that continuously dissipates static charge to the floor, preventing any dangerous build-up of electricity. Steel Coast does not manufacture its own wheel tires, instead, we select top-tier durable wheels from leading manufacturers that are rated for ESD wheels and easy cleanability. By using antistatic (semi-conductive) wheels in our system, any friction-induced charge is safely removed through the conductive wheel and adapter. This protects sensitive medical electronics on carts or beds from static shocks and conforms to strict hospital ESD standards. In other words, the HETO wheel system keeps equipment rolling smoothly and safely, no sudden ESD shocks to people or devices.

It’s worth noting that a proper ESD-safe caster is more than a luxury in hospitals, it’s a safety requirement: conductive casters continuously drain static, reducing the risk of sparks or shocks in critical areas.

We Use High-Quality, Hygienic Components: The HETO wheel system isn’t tied to one specific wheel model. Steel Coast intentionally does not make its own wheels instead, we curate the best available wheels on the market that meet our strict criteria for durability, smooth movement, ESD conductivity, and ease of cleaning. These wheels are made of materials that withstand hospital-grade cleaners and even autoclave temperatures. By pairing our patented adapter with these premium medical-grade casters, we ensure the entire system (adapter + wheel) delivers top performance. Users get the benefit of a well-engineered adapter innovation plus the reliability of the industry’s best wheels. This means longer-lasting casters that won’t corrode or fail under heavy use, and a safer investment for facilities and equipment manufacturers. In essence, Steel Coast provides the system, not just a wheel, an integrated solution where each part enhances safety and hygiene.

A medical supply cart featuring an adjustable lamp, various medical containers, and supplies organized neatly. Items include pink kidney trays, a container with gloves, rolls of tape, gauze pads, a pair of scissors, and bottles of medical liquids. The cart also holds boxes labeled for gloves and other medical essentials.

Fact box:

Microbial Contamination

Wheels and casters carry harmful microbes from floor to floor, creating cross-contamination. Studies show that cart wheels pick up bacteria and can spread them unless properly cleaned. Traditional measures like sticky mats at operating room doors have proven only marginally effective. They have not significantly reduced organisms on shoes or stretcher wheels nor cut infection rates.
Read more from Wikipedia: Sticky mat efficacy in OR (citing CDC) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sticky_mat

This means current hospital practices are not containing the infection risk posed by wheels.

References:
Lewis et al., J. Hosp. Infection (1990) – One- vs two-trolley system study. doi: 10.1016/0195-6701(90)90020-o

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Sensitive medical devices in operating rooms and imaging suites require protection from static electricity. Many modern operating rooms have ESD-safe flooring to prevent static build-up that could damage electronics or disturb critical equipment. ESD wheels are essential in these areas to guarantee that electrostatic discharges do not generate. Reducing static is also beneficial for hygiene, as static electricity attracts dust and particles, making surfaces harder to keep clean. ESD-safe wheels are therefore essential in high-tech surgical environments.

Read more from Forbo Flooring (2021) – ESD flooring in healthcare (static risks and hygiene) https://www.forbo.com/flooring/en-gl/inspiration-references/forbo-stories/esd-in-healthcare/pxd0tl

Ergonomics & Injury Risks

In both healthcare and general logistics, outdated cart designs and poorly maintained wheels lead to worker injuries. Pushing and pulling carts with jammed or worn wheels can cause sudden strain, trips, or musculoskeletal injuries. For example, if a wheel suddenly gets stuck, the user may need to exert excessive force or risk a slip. Research confirms that using aged or deteriorating carts significantly increases injury risk (by over 30%) and reduces productivity. Clearly, there is a need for safer, smoother mobility solutions to protect staff.

References:
Zhang et al., Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health (2021) – Cart condition and injury risk in industry https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041510

Read more from CCOHS Ergonomics (2021) – Hazards of hand carts and floor conditions https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/push2.html

Lack of Innovation

Until now, “no one has developed furniture” or cart technology to truly solve these problems in years. Hospitals and clinics often rely on legacy designs that meet basic needs but do not incorporate the latest materials or technology for infection control, safety, and efficiency. This gap is an opportunity for a fresh, innovative solution

A person wearing a smartwatch writes on a notepad while using a tablet that displays medical images. A stethoscope is positioned close by on a white desk, suggesting a medical setting.

A person in medical attire stands in a room viewed through partially open double doors, numbered 3. The setting appears clinical, with a neutral color palette and a tiled ceiling. The person seems to be preparing or handling medical equipment or materials.