Dräger

Polaris surgical lights - Holistic design sets new standards

Polaris surgical lights - Holistic design sets new standards
No items found.

Task

The Dräger Polaris series is one of the pioneering surgical lights on the international market. Our brief was to work with Dräger and the general contractor TQ-Systems to design the next generation of this operating theater lighting system - technically and creatively at the highest level and within an ambitious time frame.

Procedure

We worked on all aspects of the system in a small, focused team with the highest priority. This enabled us to optimally coordinate the design, interaction concept and ergonomics in rapid iterations and achieve results within a very short space of time, which delighted both Dräger and our partner TQ-Systems.

Result

The Polaris series was awarded the prestigious "Red Dot: Best of the Best". The successful design strengthens Dräger's position as a leading international supplier of medical technology and offers medical staff optimum lighting control and maximum ease of use in the operating room.

The operating theater light is a defining element in the operating theater. Its design influences how modern, trustworthy and efficient an operating theater is perceived. The design requirements for the new Polaris series were correspondingly high - and the aim was to merge technology and design into a convincing unit.

The design of the Polaris series follows an evolutionary approach: building on the established design language of the predecessor model, a new form has been developed that combines technological precision with emotional accessibility. The external design language remains familiar, but the clear lines and reduced volumes give it a much more modern and uncluttered appearance.

Ergonomically shaped handles, seamless surfaces and the selection of robust, hygienic materials enable intuitive handling and easy cleaning. The modular architecture allows individual configurations - from the compact basic luminaire to the fully equipped high-end model.

  1. The operating light combines compact form with functional clarity. The spherical light control is aimed directly at the user and blends harmoniously into the overall picture.

  2. The characteristic handle integration has been modernized - every handle, every surface has been optimized for precise positioning and easy handling.

  3. With clear lines and dynamic shapes, the design conveys technical precision in an elegant and compact-looking body.

Interaction design - intuitive guidance in every situation

One particular challenge was to combine complex functionality with clear, consistent usability across different input methods. In a holistic interaction concept, we designed all touchpoints - from the graphic user interface and wall control to the luminaire control panel - in such a way that they logically complement each other and offer a consistent user experience.The system allows up to three luminaires with different functions to be controlled in parallel. We developed interactive prototypes at an early stage and validated them together with clinical users in realistic test scenarios. The results were incorporated into a detailed UI design specification, which formed the basis for the software implementation by TQ-Systems.

Intelligent functions - brilliant light for brilliant work

Polaris provides excellent lighting conditions thanks to innovative 3D shadow compensation, which automatically detects objects in the light path and actively compensates for shadows. This technology is supplemented by functions such as anti-glare to support the ability to concentrate during longer operations, eye relax to improve visual comfort and a flexible synchronization function that transfers settings simultaneously to all active lights. Thanks to the new operating concept, individual favorite settings can be saved and easily called up - a clear plus for efficiency and ergonomics in everyday surgery.

Partnership as a success factor

The balance between aesthetic appeal, technical precision and user-centricity is deeply rooted in Dräger's design philosophy. Polaris was developed in close interdisciplinary collaboration: designers, developers and usability experts from WildDesign, Dräger and TQ-Systems worked hand in hand, supported by direct feedback from clinical staff. With the aim of combining form, function, user interface and feasibility into a holistic solution, the design was continuously refined in an iterative process.

Red Dot Best of the Best - design that sets standards

The Polaris series was not only enthusiastically received by users, but also received the "Red Dot: Best of the Best" award - proof of outstanding design quality. The surgical light is not only a key tool in the operating room, but also plays a decisive role in shaping the Dräger brand image.

"Close collaboration has resulted in a design that does far more than just shape. The successful combination of existing Polaris DNA, clear user orientation, technical requirements and new design aspects has resulted in an innovative solution that sets a new standard - both functionally and aesthetically. The result shows that technology, modern design and ease of use for the operating theater can go hand in hand."

Testimonial image

Tobias Kruse
Product Manager at Dräger

Contact person WILDDESIGN

"The development of the Polaris series was a real lighthouse project for us - holistic, user-centered and at the highest technical level. If you would like to design a complex MedTech product, please contact me."

Your contact person for the project

Sebastian Wolf

Lead Designer | Head of Office Munich Digital

+49-(0)89-780-196-50

sebastian.wolf@wilddesign.de
Text link
Medical Design
Text link
Product Design
Text link
UI/UX Design
Text link
User Research