In particularly critical situations, clear, reliable and up-to-date information is one of the key factors for perfect patient care. VIVE-MedTech has created a unique system that displays the current exchange rates of oxygen and carbon dioxide on the oxygenator at all times and clearly visible to those treating the patient during the use of an ECMO(Extra Corporal Membrane Oxygenation), a type of heart-lung machine. This real-time monitoring of the most important parameters is new to the market and a unique selling point in the industry.
Together with the VIVE-MedTech team, WILDDESIGN has developed a modern and easy-to-use device that meets the tough requirements of intensive care medicine.
- Development of a contemporary and easy-to-use housing
- GUI that supports intuitive use
- Integration of existing technology and disposables
- Integration into existing intensive care scenarios
- Definition of the framework conditions for implementation in given intensive care settings
- Sketch phase and development of different design concepts
- Parallel GUI development
- In-house prototyping for handling tests
- Innovative and intuitive device as a system component
- Robust, safe, easy to install
- Adapts to predefined settings
- Innovation in the market
Safety through continuous measurement in the acute phase
During a kick-off workshop, we first familiarized ourselves with the details. The device is a subsystem of a heart-lung machine. It is located directly at the interfaces to the ECMO, i.e. in front of and behind the oxygenators, and therefore has the latest real-time values available at all times. Precise monitoring in the critical first hours to days after acute treatment in the intensive care unit can be vital for the patient's survival. The continuous measurement of essential blood parameters has not yet been achieved by other devices. It is very easy to reduce potential risks by making these values available to those treating the patient in real time and clearly visible.
Intuitive cable management
During the ideation phase, we were faced with the complex task of integrating the monitoring system as a subsystem. The connecting elements had to be designed in such a way that they remained easy to attach, tidy and accessible despite the cramped conditions in the context. The connection process of the measuring sensors (O2, CO2 and PH) to the monitor and bloodstream played a central role here: we developed ideas for an error-free, time-saving and guided connection, as well as a clever transfer of the installation parameters. This allowed us to drastically reduce the operating effort. In addition to efficient cable routing, the installation of the monitor was another focal point in order to guarantee the visibility and accessibility of the data without restrictions for the hospital staff.
Mockups as the key to the optimal solution
In order to identify the best approaches for cable management and monitor positioning, we relied on an intensive phase with virtual and physical 3D mock-ups. Different variants - from double-sided and single-sided cable routing to monitor formats in landscape and portrait mode - were set up and evaluated directly together. Thanks to this practical approach, a favourite quickly emerged: a vertically aligned monitor with cable routing on one side, which optimizes the clarity of the values and makes the connection process much easier.
Design development at eye level
The project was characterized by the very direct personal contact between the development teams of Vive-MedTech and WILDDESIGN. Close iterative coordination from kick-off to workshops to the final housing design made it possible to turn a very convincing design into reality. A highlight of the design is the visual connection between the physical cable routing and the digital interface (GUI) we designed: The cables appear to visually merge directly into the screen, which makes the connection process more intuitive and gives the user a clear, uncluttered image.
With small series from the 3D printer to market maturity
After we had jointly developed the "Tech Pack", which defined the exact internal structure and placement of the technical components, we conceived a pioneering design that VIVE-MedTech can produce itself as a small series using 3D printing. In terms of "full compliance prototyping", VIVE-MedTech can use the 3D printed prototype for approval and clinical evaluation - an innovative approach that is still a rarity in the medical industry.
A product that can close an important gap in intensive care medicine
We are delighted to be able to accompany VIVE-MedTech on its way to the market, because we are convinced that the function will save lives. In addition to the design of the housing and GUI, we also designed the website and were thus able to create a convincing overall appearance. As a partner at
Compamed(Compamed profile), VIVE-MedTech will now present the device to the public for the first time and we are already very excited about the response from the market.
The product can be seen in Hall 8a Stand H13 from November 11-14, 2024 in Düsseldorf.
WILDDESIGN Part
- Design draft for housing and GUI
- Workflow design, detailed design and usability
- Pre-construction of the plastic parts
- Conception and design of the website
...
Dr.-Ing. Marian Gransow
CEO
A start-up with a wealth of experience and a convincing idea for a missing component in intensive care. This is how innovation works in medical technology. The fast and coordinated design process with dedicated teams on both sides led to a convincing solution in a very tight regulatory environment.
Your contact person for the project
Sven Dörhage
Head of Office Magdeburg
+49-(0)391 - 243 05 718
sven.doerhage@wilddesign.de