REVOLUTIONARY TABLET-BASED SOLUTION FOR CT-GUIDED INTERVENTION

The first and only tablet-based solution for Computed Tomography (CT)-guided interventions in the market comes up with delight in autonomy and efficiency with the ability to fully focus on patients through innovative workplace design. It is possible to control the entire procedure inside the examination room with the lightweight high-resolution tablet, highly intuitive image interaction tools and touchscreen gestures. There is no need for ceiling-mounted displays or additional controls. Image-based table movement with either voice command or touch interaction frees the radiologist from manual back and forth movement of the patient table.

AUTONOMY AND EFFCIENCY WITH HIGH FOCUS ON PATIENT THROUGH EASY AND INTUITIVE IN-ROOM CONTROL

Current intervention solutions are lacking easy and flexible in-room control. The preparation of a sterile set up with ceiling-mounted monitors and in-room control is time-consuming and expensive. This shifts the focus away from the patient. Therefore, assistance is often indispensable resulting in absence of autonomy and high costs for staff. With the tablet solution there is no need for ceiling-mounted displays or additional controls. Voice control eases tablet operation and ensures a sterile environment with dedicated vocal commands.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES PRIOR, DURING AND AFTER PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Based on four generative sessions in the US, Chinese and European market, the insights-framework revealed opportunities for an optimized workflow. Concepts were integrated and reviewed in expert interviews with radiologists combined with shadowing of CT-guided procedures all over the world. The world map below shows my research activities for CT, although further interviews were conducted. I visited clinics in Erlangen, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Großhadern, Augsburg, etc. (DE), Basel (CH), Montpellier (FR), SãoJão, Viana do Castelo, Porto and Gaia (PT). I was involved in software development in-house at customer’s sites and worked hand in hand with an agile intervention feature team.

THE CONTINUOUS DESIGN THINKING PROCESS LED TO SUCCESS AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

The target group varied from radiologists doing simple interventional procedures to dedicated interventional radiologists. Despite market differences among the European, Asian and US market, workflow preferences differ per radiologist. The highly competitive field of work is mainly dominated by male users with a high technical affinity from ages 30 to 62.

YEAR 2016 – 2019

CATEGORIES Healthcare, Computed Tomography, Intervention, Human-Centered, Design Thinking

CHALLENGE Integrate in-room intervention workflow for radiologists into exisiting tablet workflow for CT technicians.

SOLUTION Easy and intuitive in-room control with sterile cover and ceiling-mounted monitors.

METHODS Expert Reviews, Focus Groups, Remote Interviews, Usability Testing, Workshops, Brainstorming, Sketching, Concept Development, Wireframing, Clickdummy, UI Design

TOOLS Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel