Simplifying Medical Device Design for A Competitive Edge

In the fast-paced medical device industry, staying competitive requires adopting effective design principles. One key approach is the "keep it simple, stupid" (KISS) principle, which promotes simplicity and reduces complexity in product design. By following this philosophy, designers can achieve greater user acceptance and engagement with their medical devices.

This article delves into applying the "KISS" principle to medical device design, offering valuable insights to maintain a competitive edge in the industry.

1. Reduce the Part Quantities of a Product

For medical product design engineers, streamlining the design and reducing the number of components can greatly diminish workload and minimize errors. The development cycle of a medical product component encompasses several demanding tasks, such as concept design, discussions, detailed design, CAE analysis, and DFMA checks. Mistakes or oversights in any of these stages can critically impact product quality, cost, and development timelines. Thus, simplifying product design and reducing components offer clear advantages for engineers, enabling them to focus more on enhancing the quality of the product design.

2. Decrease Color Variations

Color is a powerful tool for communication, classification, and user guidance. It helps differentiate critical functions (red/yellow) from safe ones (green/blue) and indicates priority levels through varying shades. Colors can segment product areas and remind users of proper usage. They also evoke emotions, with bright colors energizing fitness products and warm tones promoting calmness in prenatal settings. In medical product design, color guides users by highlighting buttons and important information on screens. Using color judiciously enhances usability, while excessive use can cause confusion. In both software and hardware design, color and contrast direct users to essential areas in medical devices.

3. Streamline GUI Design

The growing use of medical devices in home care requires designs that are user-friendly and easy to operate correctly. Simplifying the design and making it intuitive through shapes helps non-professionals avoid errors. Utilizing large, single-function buttons and strategic color use aids in quickly identifying and accessing critical features. In user interface design, minimalism reduces clutter, enabling users to focus on essential information. Fewer options lead to quicker decision-making, especially in urgent medical scenarios. Additionally, placing less important features in menus can further streamline the interface.

4. Simplify the Structure for Easy Cleaning

Medical products need to be designed for easy cleaning due to their contact with bodily fluids, alcohols, acids, reagents, viruses, and bacteria. To ensure this, the design should minimize gaps and crevices. Seams should be tightly sealed or covered with overlapping features, and accessible gaps should allow for easy wiping. The design should also favor smooth, non-porous surfaces that can be easily cleaned with swabs, sprays, or wipes. Simplified shapes with fewer crevices further prevent the buildup of dirt and contaminants.

Leveraging our vast experience in medical product development, we are equipped to bring our expertise and manufacturing services to your next project. Our extensive selection of medical-grade materials and on-demand mechanical parts manufacturing capabilities can simplify the development process of medical devices. By offering a comprehensive service, from prototyping and low-volume production to final assemblies, we provide a seamless experience with a single manufacturer for all stages.