Within dental practices and oral healthcare facilities, the cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation process traditionally involves multiple pieces of equipment and manual tasks. This results in complex workflows, long processing times and an increased risk of human error or cross-contamination. A complete process can take more than two hours and requires multiple interventions by staff.
The challenge was to develop an innovative end-to-end solution that brings together the various stages of infection prevention within a single integrated system, without significantly disrupting existing work processes. The aim was to create a smart, automated workflow that takes ease of use, safety and efficiency to the next level.
The Summox One introduces a completely new approach to infection prevention in dental care. By combining washing, disinfecting, sterilising, documenting and sealing into a single smart system, it creates a more efficient process with fewer manual steps. Thanks to RFID recognition, smart software and automated process steps, the entire workflow is intelligently managed. This not only increases operational efficiency but also improves safety and reliability.
The technology reduces the risk of cross-contamination, supports traceability and ensures comprehensive process documentation. The Summox One therefore contributes to a safer working environment for staff and better care for patients.
GBO was closely involved in the development of the machine and the smart container right from the concept phase. The focus was on ease of use, interaction with the various process steps and the design of the overall system.
Through a series of concept studies, we investigated how instruments could be made safe, intuitive and efficient to access during the cleaning process. This resulted in a container concept featuring a central support structure and removable components for optimal cleanability. In addition, we developed the user experience and the interaction between the user, the instruments and the machine.
In parallel with the concept development, GBO worked on the technical design of the smart container and the positioning of the instruments. To this end, various instrument-specific inlays and a multifunctional wire basket were developed. The concept was validated using 3D-printed prototypes, milled models and trial moulds.
Working closely with Log 10, injection moulding specialists and material suppliers, the choice of materials, geometry and functionality were optimised. In the final phase, GBO oversaw pre-production to ensure a successful transition to series production.
The result is the Summox One: the world’s first all-in-one system for the fully automated cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation of dental instruments. Instruments are automatically recognised and processed using smart containers and RFID technology, after which they are cleaned, sterilised, sealed and ready for immediate use in around 15 minutes. The solution drastically reduces turnaround time, simplifies processes and creates an efficient workflow that meets the needs of modern dental practices. By combining smart technology, automation and user-centred design, Summox is setting a new standard in infection prevention and workflow optimisation within oral healthcare.
Louis van de Mortel
Summox Dental
“Our collaboration with GBO has made a significant contribution to the development of the Summox One System. Their expertise in design and engineering helped us to translate complex technical challenges into practical and scalable solutions. Thanks to the combination of technical knowledge and a strong focus on usability and manufacturability, we have jointly developed a product that is ready for the future of dental care.”