Design For Medical
If a medical product design fits the surgeon’s hand, mind, and body perfectly, then it increases the surgeon’s surgical performance with less stress and strain. When medical products are intuitive and easy to use, they minimize human error and allow clinicians to execute the same work in less time, which in turn increases facility profitability and drives healthcare costs down.
On the human side of healthcare design, Dignity is the right of every human being in this world, and at Metaphase we have made it an essential part of everything we do. Designing products that restore Dignity is all about respect, compassion, and caring – it is what connects us as human beings. We call this The Dignity Factor – which is about bringing a more “humane” approach to the Research, Ergonomics & Design of healthcare products. To read more about The Dignity Factor, click here.
In medical product development, each and every detail matters – there is no room for error. The human factor – ergonomics – is the critical success factor in development successful, safe, and efficacious solutions that address the needs of all users from clinicians to hospital staffs through to the patient. As a result, we meticulously observe, study, and synthesize perceptions, behaviors, and emotions to develop holistic design solutions that work for the healthcare provider, patient, and manufacturer.
To see examples of case studies up-close, click on a specific product to the left.
Medtronic, Powerease
The POWEREASE™ System is used for drilling, tapping and driving specialized implants during spinal surgery.
This system brings new capability to the operating room, and reduces surgeon fatigue associated with repetitive hand motion and enhances surgeon control. The handle grip is designed to fit both male and female surgeons’ hands.
A. The wings on the collar were designed to match the contour of the finger for easy one-finger manipulation of the collar.
B. The trigger radius was increased to eliminate pressure points while in use.
OrthoAccel®, AcceleDent System™
The AcceleDent System™ is the fast track to straight teeth! By wearing the AcceleDent Activator for 20 minutes day, orthodontic patients can significantly shorten the treatment time for wearing braces.
The patented technology of the AcceleDent System™ sends gentle microvibrations to the teeth, stimulating bone growth. This revolutionary system in the orthodontic industry is compatible with, and an enhancer to, any existing braces system.
A. The Charging Port is not only a charging base for the Activator, but also stores patient usage data and includes a cord wrap feature to keep bathroom clutter at a minimum.
B. The Travel Shell is a convenient carry case for the Activator for those patients who use the device away from home and serves as an enclosure for docking the Activator on the Charging Port.
C. The Mouthpiece is available in several different sizes and bite styles to accommodate the majority of orthodontic patients. Based on user research, the Activator is a very compact design whose visual bulk is even further reduced with strategic contouring and material breakup. The device is waterproof, enhancing its durability and functionality for the duration of treatment.
Medtronic, Hydrodebrider® System
The Medtronic Hydrodebrider™ System is the first and only powered irrigation system that removes bacteria from the paranasal sinuses in the operating room or office.
It is intended to remove bacteria from the sinuses of patients that suffer from acute or chronic sinus inflammation. The Hydrodebrider handpiece delivers a rotating spray of pressurized saline at 5 mL/sec, enabling access to all of the sinuses for direct sinus irrigation and fluid removal.
A. The flex-tip suction irrigator is 5.5 mm in diameter and allows 270° direct access to previously unreachable areas of the sinuses, such as the medial wall and floor of the maxillary sinus. The rotatable spray is used to control directional irrigation and aide in dislodging bacteria from the mucosal surfaces.
B. The form is based on a classic and intuitive ‘pistol’ grip. The lines on the handpiece are both harmonious and dynamic. The surfaces are organic and rounded to tell the user that it fits comfortably in the hand.
C. The controls are perfectly ‘mapped’ to what is actually happening at the working end of the instrument. For example, left to right movement on the front control results in left to right movement at the tip. Rotational movement of a second control results in a one-to-one rotational movement of the spray head. These elements increase the level of intuitiveness and accuracy in tight environments with limited to no visibility.
Alcon, ClearCut S Safety Incisional Instrument
Metaphase ergonomics supplemented existing research and design to create a new safe design for ophthalmic providers.
ClearCut S is a disposable surgical instrument used for ophthalmic procedures and surgery. ClearCut features a single-hand blade protection mechanism designed to prevent surgeons, staff, and patients from injury, during and after use.
A. Clear blade shield actuation is intuitive and simple with just one hand, providing the surgeon with tactile feedback for blade orientation.
B. Cylindrical cross section so the device can be easily rolled in the fingertips to optimize dexterous control and cutting tip orientation for use.
Medtronic, M4 Microdebrider
Metaphase set a new industry standard in ergonomic surgical instrument design with Medtronic’s “M4″ Microdebrider for ENT surgeons who operate in twisted sinuses under remote visual guidance.
This breakthrough design has given surgeons what they asked for, resulting in a sales increase of 243% in the first 60 days from launch. The “M4″ is an award-winning design that has redefined “state-of-the-art” in ergonomic surgical handpiece design.
A. The “M4′s” patented elastomeric grip provides perfect biomechanical control of the instrument throughout all orientations of usage. The rubberized grip is also fused to the machined handpiece to allow for unlimited sterilizations.
B. An index finger finger-tip control allows the surgeon to orient the surgical cutting window on the fly making procedures faster and more comfortable.
Medtronic, IPC Power Console System
Surgeons and nurses have stressful, high-speed jobs that require precision and efficacy.
The IPC Power Console System addresses these issues by combining the interfaces for multiple handpieces into one intuitive solution. The organic form is as welcoming and interesting as it is pure.
A. Each handpiece plug is organized by color for clear delineation between ports. The ports are recessed to ensure protection from inadvertent bumps.
B. The handle that tops the system allows for a variety of grip postures and configurations, from hanging the console on an IV pole to carrying it between ORs. The finished product is an uncluttered, intuitive and inviting solution inspired by the needs of surgeons and nurses in the field.
Reichert, Tono-Pen Avia
If you are trying to ensure precision, comfort, and accuracy while pressing a handheld instrument to a person’s cornea, what’s the best way to do it?
That’s the question Metaphase’s team of experts asked when presented with the challenge of designing the next generation device used to measure intraocular pressure. Through extensive observational research and ergonomic testing, the Tono-Pen Avia Applanation Tonometer was designed by Metaphase for Medtronic, and later sold to Reichert.
A. The Tono-Pen Avia increases operator stability and minimizes tremors with balanced weight distribution and a handle design optimized for virtually all hand sizes.
B. The grip architecture promotes correct thumb and forefinger placement for comfortable and effective usage.
C. The large, easy-to-read LCDs are positioned on each side of the device to allow both left- and right-handed users to view the readings. It’s a vision to be seen…and used!
Bayer, Status
Based on extensive international research, Metaphase experts worked with Bayer to design the most powerful, low-cost immunoassay instrument for clinical settings.
The “Clinitek Status” brings laboratory testing to the clinic office at a fraction of the price and time, allowing doctors to provide nearly instant test results to patients within the same office visit.
A. The large, easy-to-read UI is intuitive and designed to simplify normal operation and set-up.
B. The heart of any instrument is the disposable test strip – the high-volume, economic engine. The test device was designed to be easily placed and removed from the test stage without contamination.
Bayer, Micropipette
The ergonomic design of this micropipette allows technicians, nurses and researchers to quickly and precisely secure, then apply blood samples reliably without splatter.
A. The ergonomic thumbwheel enables precise withdrawal and deposition of a 15 ml blood sample.
B. The teardrop-shaped main body provides a non-slip grip when cradled in the palm of the hand, while the thumb is engaged on the wheel for control.
IV House, Intravenous Site Protector
Metaphase has created a new standard of bedside care with their breakthrough “UltraDressing”, a tape-free way to ensure a safe, more humane IV insertion.
From a small child, to an elderly adult, “UltraDressing” eliminates patient anxiety and trauma, and costs only an average $5 a piece. As the “UltraDressing” eliminates the cost of IV restarts, health care providers will experience an annual average net savings of $675 per bed.
A. The “UltraDressing” maximizes dwell time, minimizes painful restarts, and eliminates the need for exposed looping and restraints all while permitting continuous access and giving the patient peace of mind and assured comfort.
B. The “UltraDressing” comes in four sizes, fits both left and right hands, and uses delicate Velcro closures to ensure a perfect fit.
Refractive Technologies, Steritome
The Metaphase team conducted intensive ergonomic and design research to create Refractive Technologies breakthrough “Steritome”, a flap maker for Lasik surgery.
This is the first disposable microkeratome system that offers quick and intuitive connect/disconnect features with an ergonomic grip that enhances control and precision.
A. The primary grip zone accommodates a wide variety of surgical grip styles while optimizing delicate control.
B. The surgeon has clear visual access to the instrument head to cut the perfect flap.
C. The quick release utility umbilicus facilitates quick set-ups & change-outs between procedures.
Bausch & Lomb, Hand Tool/Foot Controller
The new “Millennium II” titanium hand tool and foot controller sets new standards for control and ergonomics.
The designs are based on extensive, in-surgery task analysis and observational research conducted by Metaphase’s team of experts.
A. The utility connectors are designed to minimize torque & pull on the surgeon’s hand, effectively optimizing control and minimizing stress & strain.
B. The shape of the primary grip and its location along the shaft are deliberate and provide high-level grip security for the surgeon’s gloved hand.
C. The foot controller design is all ergonomics with buttons differentiated through size, shape & location to allow the surgeon to quickly and accurately select the desired hand tool mode.
Alcon Labs, Keratometer/Lensometer
The Alcon Labs’ keratometer, lensometer and printer offer the first major ophthalmic innovation in decades.
A. The texture and color of the controls suggest where and also how to touch.
B. The iconographic labeling scheme and LCD interface provides a rapid learning curve, regardless of language barriers.
C. Clinicians and patients never had it so easy! The weight and balance of the first ever handheld Keratometer allows for easy alignment to the patient’s eye, while the single-handed thumb interface leaves the clinician’s second hand free for positioning the patient.
