Cobalt Health: Nirvana Healthcare Chair

The design challenge for the Nirvana Chair was to create a top-tier dialysis and oncology treatment chair that significantly enhances patient comfort during prolonged treatment sessions, typically lasting several hours, multiple times per week. With over 4 million dialysis patients worldwide and a growing number of oncology patients, there was a critical need for a chair that not only supports patient well-being but also improves caregiver ergonomics. The chair needed to include fully adjustable features, robust lifting mechanisms, easy access, and integrated safety mechanisms. The chair had to be aesthetically appealing, maintainable (easily cleaned from body fluid spills), and suitable for global healthcare provider requirements.

The Nirvana Chair offers full adjustability with upright and reclined for daytime treatment, sleeping position for nocturnal treatments / CPR, and emergency Trendelenburg positions, ensuring maximum comfort and easy patient transfer. Its purpose-designed armrests allow side access and integrated storage for patient belongings. Foot pedals streamline caregiver functions, including height adjustments and emergency positioning. The remote control features USB charging, fine seating adjustments, and pre-set controls. The lifting column provides stable, quiet vertical movement. The design process included five months of collaboration with the General Nephrology Clinic at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, with patient feedback and material selections having been chosen for comfort, durability and cleanability, enhancing overall patient experience and accessibility.

The Nirvana Chair significantly improves the patient and care provider experience during long treatment sessions with superior comfort and full adjustability. Its design enhances accessibility for less able patients and streamlines caregiver functions with innovative controls and foot pedals. Adjustable armrests with integrated side storage keeping patient belongings secure and accessible. The easy-access remote control allows patients to fine-tune their positioning and includes a USB charger for powering devices during extended treatments. Collaboration with healthcare professionals ensured a patient-centric design, positively impacting patient well-being and treatment efficiency, making the chair a valuable addition to hospitals and treatment centres.

Enhanced Ergonomics: The chair is designed to improve caregiver ergonomics, featuring intuitive controls and an efficient layout to minimise strain. Hygienic Design: Easy clean materials, along with optional replaceable + customisable chair cover allow for easy cleaning and adaptation to different hospital interiors, ensuring a hygienic environment. Generous Proportions: Increased chair width accommodates a variety of user shapes and sizes, enhancing overall comfort. Mobility: Equipped with a castor wheel system, the chair is easy to manoeuvre, facilitating patient transportation within healthcare facilities. Left hand and right hand side brake pedal operates a mechanical system allowing locking and unlocking of the castor wheel system from a single point. Multiple Comfort Positions: Offers full recline from upright to bed mode, including flat and 15° reclined positions for optimal patient comfort and easy transfer. Emergency Foot Pedal: This pedal can be held for automated, fast, but safe and comfortable adjustment to the Trendelenburg position, ensuring swift response during emergencies. Premium Materials and Robust Mechanical Construction: Constructed from high-quality materials, the chair ensures durability and longevity, making it a cost-effective investment for healthcare providers. Built for a long product service life in healthcare settings. User-Friendly Controls: Reduction in unnecessary controls and cabling simplifies operation, providing a streamlined experience for both patients and staff.