Design of a patient-machine interface.
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Master assignment of the University of Twente and PA Imaging company. Design of a patient-machine interface for a new photoacoustic breast imaging device.
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Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer type in the Netherlands. PAMMOTH consortium, which consists of various European entities, as PA Imaging company, and has support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, aims to develop a new photoacoustic breast imaging device that can obtain optimal images from all breast types. PA Imaging has done already two versions of this new medical device, and during 2019 was developing the third version. With the purpose of having the best device as possible, they asked the University of Twente for an Industrial Designer to redesign a patient-machine interface.
The objective of this master assignment was to analyse and redesign the examination bed of the breast imaging device in order to ensure anatomical availability of the breast, without compromising from user-friendliness. The design process consists of literature research, an iterative design process and the final manufacturing of the product. The objective was to create a patient-machine interface trying to solve some of the limitations the device has regarding the obtention of good quality images of the entire glandular tissue of the breast. Breast availability was the most important objective. Secondary objectives were i) accessibility to the bed, ii) users’ comfort and iii) users’ experience.
Two important methodologies were used, research to a final design and iterative design process. In each design and testing iteration qualitative and quantitate data were acquired through user observation and surveys. The data collected on each iteration became the requirements of the final product. The requirements did not only focus on breast availability but also on improving users’ experience. After the analysis of the data, it was concluded that an optimal position, consisting of increasing the lateralization of the body, was the most comfortable position but also the situation with the highest rates of breast availability. The examination bed and cushions were designed with the purpose to reinforce the optimal position. The cushions improved users’ comfort but also other aspects that reinforce the obtention of good images, as preventing involuntary moves of the patient. Finally, there was a manufacturing process of the patient-machine interface and the proposal of conceptual designs for future versions of the photoacoustic-breast imaging device.
