Sonographers, physicians and radiologists make ultrasound product different by design
Like other reputable manufacturers of medical devices, Carestream complies with the FDA’s regulations for design inputs that include functional, performance and safety requirements. We also support the requirements of an even
more demanding body: the users of the equipment. A recent example is the design process for our Touch Prime Ultrasound System.
About 100 sonographers, physicians, radiologists, radiology administrators and sonography students from throughout the world touched, prodded and gave feedback on the product throughout its development. We involved customers early in the process so we could implement their feedback and suggestions into the finished product, and modify the occasional rejections.
The first engagement was a series of workshops in Europe and the United States. Participants evaluated a series of different designs for the user interface. Next, we brought a working prototype to a worldwide audience at RSNA 2014. Attendees from around the world gave us suggestions for additional improvements.
Later, we scheduled a week of hands-on workshops back at our headquarters in Rochester, NY. We invited a cross section of sonographers with varying levels of experience with ultrasound. Some had 30 years of experience and had worked in different healthcare settings. Others were still in college.
Dr. Hamad Ghazle from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) participated in the workshops. He is RIT’s Director of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, the recipient of the 2014 National Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Distinguished Educator Award, and has been named one of the Top 25 Professors of Sonography by Medical Technology Schools.
“Carestream included different types of people – sonographers of different ages and different experience levels. They included students even though their experience is limited, because the company sees that they are the future. The company really listened to the voice of the sonographers and what they had to say about the product,” recalls Ghazle.
The participants were keenly interested in helping us create the best product possible, and their evaluations are reflected in the final system. For example, an early design of the Touch Prime had what we believed was the optimal angulation of the control panel. But our participants made it clear that one size did not fit all and they wanted the ability to adjust it.
From there, the prototyped traveled to ECR 2015 in Europe for more examination. Throughout its assessment, we’ve been pleasantly surprised with the quick adoption of our completely sealed all-touch control panel. The panel is void of any buttons, knobs and keys. Its primary controls have a distinctive etched pattern to provide the tactile feedback of traditional keys, with the most frequently used ones positioned directly in front of the sonographer and grouped according to function.
All the travels and trials added up to today’s final product that is exceptional in its ergonomic design. The system is height adjustable for small and tall sonographers, and those who prefer to sit while they scan. The monitor is on a fully articulated arm so that sonographers can view it with their heads in a neutral position, and it can be repositioned easily with one hand. And the control panel can be moved laterally from side to side, tilted, and moved horizontally toward and away. These ergonomic features can help minimize the musculoskeletal disorders that plague the profession.
“Sonographers do a lot of movement, getting both the patient and the machine in position,” explains Ghazle. “Having the sonographers work with manufacturers on the design is a great way to improve its use. Carestream really worked to have the customers involved in the product’s development and design.”
To us, the only way to deliver an extraordinary user experience is to involve the user deeply in the design. Watch the video to hear more about the design process from Dr. Ghazle, and read his blog about the market forces driving the increased use of ultrasound.
#sonography, #ultrasound
Andrew J. Hartmann is Vice President & General Manager of Global Ultrasound & CT Solutions at Carestream
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