This article is from in the August 2007 issue of DOTmed Business News. A list of registered users that provide sales & service can be found at the end.

Operating room tables have come a long way since the "Perfection Physician's Chair," that served as an examining chair, but also could be converted into a surgical table or the first operating table made of steel produced by MAQUET in 1889 or the 1940's AMSCO 1065 tables. As a matter of fact, Bob Mighell, President of World Medical Equipment is the proud owner of that 1940's beauty (see photo). Bob has a great motto, "The equipment You Need for the Procedures You Perform at a Price You Can Afford." He says, "Regardless of the age, we take all of the tables we own down to their component parts and rebuild them from the ground up."

Tony Asbille, president of Global Star specializes in Durabuilt surgical tables and has been selling nationwide for seven years. He commented that the designs of operating room tables that were made 10 years ago have become antiquated and new technology like carbon fiber has allowed design changes in operating room tables that were not possible 10 years ago - including the design that allows for better C-Arm (surgical imaging system) access. These tables are the focal point of complete operating room systems that can help reduce the time a patient spends in the OR and in the hospital following surgery.

Different Tables for Different Procedures
Today, there are multipurpose operating room tables that can accommodate different surgical procedures. There are OR tables designed specifically for obese patients. Gregg Oggel of Green Cross Medical in Ventura sells new and used OR table, including the AMSCO 3085SP table, which is a bariactric table that the company recommends for obese people. It holds up to 1000 pounds.

Tim Martin, president of Martin Medical Equipment Service commented that these days most OEMs are improving the weight capacity of their general surgical tables to support patients up to 1000 pounds. Dave Leng has a new company, HEAL, in the South Pacific. Leng pointed out that the people of the Pacific are very large and width extenders are an important accessory to the tables that they sell.

Jayra Andrade of Soma Technology, Inc commented that the differences in OR tables is mainly in the accessories used for proper patient positioning for specific procedures. "However, there are different tables for different types of surgical procedures" says Andrade."For example, there are tables that are specific for orthopedics, imagining, pain management and urology procedures." Soma Technology, Inc. refurbishes and sells all major manufacturers' brands of operating room tables including Steris, Amsco, Skytron, Getinge, Maquet and Shampaine. "The most popular brands we sell are Skytron and Steris," states Andrade. "All tables are completely refurbished according to the original manufacturers' specifications by highly skilled engineers." Andrade went on to say that Soma also sells new c-arm/pain management tables and is able to supply parts for all models available in stock.

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