What are the best strategies for designing biomedical devices that are easy to use for non-experts?

Pienso que és una pregunta compleja, pertinente y con múltiples respuestas complementarias. Reflexionando sobre la variabilidad de los oxímetros de pulso según el tono de piel, queda claro que, aunque son herramientas vitales y efectivas en manos de profesionales, su uso general puede arrojar resultados y decisiones inconsistentes. Esta situación representa una excelente oportunidad para que la ingeniería biomédica dé un paso adelante, trabajando para que la oximetría no invasiva sea más precisa y accesible para todos. Es un área con un potencial significativo para innovaciones y mejoras.

✦Incorporate user research throughout the design process: Studies like Fleischman et al. (1990) emphasize the importance of user involvement. Conduct: ⋆Contextual inquiries: Observe users interacting with similar devices in their natural environment (e.g., home, healthcare setting) to gain insights into their needs and challenges. ⋆Focus groups: Engage representative user groups in discussions to understand their expectations, concerns, and preferred functionalities. ✦Emphasize user personas: Develop detailed user profiles encompassing demographics, technical skills, and potential limitations to guide design decisions.

this goes to the heart of why its needed. If its not needed then why build it. Why waste time money and resources for something that at the end is going to be a hard sell. Start with what the person (not user as that's too cold and inhumane) and what they NEED, then use agile and build that. Test with people and see what else they NEED. Then keep cycling. Need drives wants but also drives $$.

Understanding the users is crucial for designing biomedical devices that are easy to use for non-experts. Conducting thorough user research, such as interviews, surveys, and observations, helps identify their needs, challenges, and preferences. This insight enables bioengineers to address real problems, align with user goals, and avoid assumptions or biases that could compromise the device's usability.

✦Minimize cognitive load: Limit the number of steps required to complete tasks and prioritize clear information presentation. Studies by Just & Carpenter (1980) demonstrate the limitations of human working memory, highlighting the need for clear and concise interfaces. ✦Leverage visual hierarchy: Apply Gestalt psychology principles to prioritize crucial information through size, colour, and placement. ✦Consider cultural factors: Adhere to international usability standards (e.g., ISO 13485) and account for potential cultural variations in symbol interpretation and colour preferences.

Ao implementar tecnologias para aprimorar a interação entre a interface do usuário e o dispositivo, é crucial considerar a acessibilidade para usuários com necessidades especiais. Isso envolve a adoção de princípios de design universal, garantindo interfaces intuitivas e compatíveis com tecnologias assistivas. Estratégias como feedback multissensorial, personalização da interface e reconhecimento de voz são essenciais para tornar os dispositivos acessíveis a uma ampla gama de usuários. Além disso, é fundamental realizar testes com usuários com necessidades especiais durante o desenvolvimento e teste da interface, garantindo uma experiência inclusiva e eficaz para todos os usuários.

Simplifying the interface is essential for making biomedical devices user-friendly for non-experts. A streamlined interface reduces cognitive load, error rates, and training time by employing clear and consistent labels, icons, and colors. Providing feedback and instructions, minimizing distractions and options, and adhering to universal design standards further enhance usability. These design principles ensure that the device is intuitive and accessible, facilitating effective interaction for all users.

Testing and iterating is a crucial step in designing a biomedical device that is user-friendly for non-experts. This process involves evaluating the device's usability, functionality, and acceptability through methods such as prototypes, simulations, or trials. By collecting and analyzing data, including user feedback and performance metrics, bioengineers can identify and address any issues or flaws. Continuous testing and iteration ensure that the device meets user needs, maintains safety, and performs effectively in real-world settings.

✦Conduct heuristic evaluations: Early-stage assessments by usability experts to identify potential usability issues based on established principles. ✦Integrate user testing throughout the design cycle: Employ established methods like: ⋆Think-aloud protocols: Users verbalize their thoughts while interacting with the device, revealing thought processes and potential points of confusion. ⋆Eye-tracking: Monitors user gaze patterns to identify areas of interest and potential difficulties in information processing. ⋆Large, high-contrast displays: Larger fonts and clear contrast improve readability for users with visual impairments. ⋆Tactile feedback: Can be crucial for users with visual impairments or those requiring confirmation of actions.

Prototipar é uma etapa essencial no desenvolvimento de dispositivos médicos. Os designers criam protótipos físicos e digitais para visualizar e testar conceitos, levando em consideração a segurança, eficácia e usabilidade do produto. A iteração rápida é fundamental para refinar e aprimorar os protótipos com base no feedback dos usuários e especialistas. A análise de elementos finitos pode ser um boa ferramenta para auxiliar nos testes computacionais do protótipo e a impressão 3D pode garantir o rápido desenvolvimento de um protótipo com um custo acessível.

✦Environment of use: Design the device considering the environment where it will be used. ⋆Home setting: Prioritize user-friendliness and intuitive operation for individuals with limited medical training. ⋆Clinical setting: Incorporate features that support healthcare professionals while ensuring overall ease of use. ✦User limitations: Account for potential physical limitations like dexterity issues, tremors, or reduced vision. ⋆Incorporate alternative control methods: Explore options like voice commands, touchscreens, or gesture recognition for users who may have difficulty with traditional buttons or knobs.

Allow me to explain this using an example that is relevant to my work, like designing an advanced wearable rehabilitation device for post-joint replacement patients (non-experts) which requires user-friendly features, personalised feedback system, and remote monitoring capabilities. To design such a device you'd need to incorporate sensors for real-time tracking, adaptive programs for personalised rehabilitation, and intuitive interfaces for easy use, as well as, enabling remote monitoring to support patients beyond clinical settings. The best strategy for designing such technologies is to prioritise patient empowerment and ensuring they feel in control of their recovery journey.

Considering the context is crucial for designing user-friendly biomedical devices. By understanding the environment, cultural norms, infrastructure, and regulations where the device will be used, bioengineers can tailor the device to meet specific needs and constraints. Engaging with stakeholders, such as users, providers, and regulators, ensures the device's reliability, affordability, and sustainability, aligning it with real-world conditions and requirements.

Ao analisar trabalhos acadêmicos e exemplos de experiências de terceiros, os desenvolvedores podem validar conceitos e ideias para o protótipo em desenvolvimento, verificando a eficácia de abordagens similares e adaptando-as conforme necessário. Além disso, estudar o que não deu certo também pode ser útil, pois oferece insights sobre quais abordagens evitar ou ajustar durante o desenvolvimento do protótipo. Esses recursos fornecem referências valiosas para solucionar desafios técnicos ou conceituais, oferecendo uma variedade de perspectivas e abordagens para consideração.

Learning from others is essential for designing biomedical devices that are easy to use for non-experts. By reviewing existing practices and innovations, bioengineers can gain valuable insights, inspiration, and guidance. This approach helps avoid duplicating efforts and reinventing the wheel. Engaging with literature, attending industry events, joining professional networks, and collaborating with peers or mentors enriches the design process, fostering the development of more effective and user-friendly devices.

Ao desenvolver um protótipo, é importante avaliar diversos pontos de impacto, incluindo social, ambiental, econômico, saúde e segurança, aceitação do usuário, inovação e diferenciação, e impacto na cadeia de suprimentos. Essa avaliação abrangente permite considerar não apenas aspectos técnicos e comerciais, mas também preocupações sociais, ambientais e éticas, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento de soluções mais sustentáveis e socialmente responsáveis.

Evaluating the impact is crucial for designing biomedical devices that are easy to use for non-experts. This step measures the device's effectiveness, efficiency, and value, helping identify benefits, risks, and limitations. Methods like surveys, interviews, observations, and analytics provide comprehensive insights. Comparing the device with alternatives or industry benchmarks ensures it meets or exceeds standards, ultimately enhancing its overall impact and success in real-world applications.

Some Strategies: ✦Clear instructions: Provide concise and easy-to-understand user manuals and instructional materials. ✦Visual aids: Utilize clear illustrations, diagrams, and pictograms to supplement written instructions. Minimal maintenance: Design the device to require minimal maintenance or user intervention. ✦Standardization: Adhere to industry standards and established design conventions to ensure familiarity for users who may have experience with similar devices.

É fundamental buscar tendências internacionais de tecnologia e inovação para o desenvolvimento de protótipos. Observar apenas o mercado interno ou soluções similares pode limitar a visão e restringir o potencial de inovação. Ao buscar inspiração global, os desenvolvedores acessam um vasto leque de conhecimentos e soluções, antecipando mudanças no mercado e identificando oportunidades de diferenciação. Além disso, essa abordagem permite aprender com as melhores práticas, adaptar ideias para o contexto local e colaborar com especialistas ao redor do mundo, enriquecendo o desenvolvimento com novas abordagens e soluções.

In designing biomedical devices for non-experts, beyond technical considerations, fostering user empathy and iterative testing are crucial. Contextualizing devices within real-world environments and learning from existing solutions also enhance usability. Evaluating impact ensures devices meet user needs effectively, making these strategies integral to creating user-friendly innovations in biomedical engineering.

Envolver os usuários desde o início do projeto: Incluir potenciais usuários não especialistas nas fases iniciais do desenvolvimento do produto. Isso vai ajudar a identificar suas necessidades, expectativas e dificuldades.