This is Part 2 of a 3-part series on how human-centric design fosters medical imaging success. Part 1 detailed how overlooking the human factor renders imaging equipment useless. In Part 2, we’ll explore ways to address common imaging issues with human-centric design.
Human-centric design is integral to successful medical imaging as overlooking the human factor leads to patient discomfort, poor image quality, and wasted investment. Here are ways to address those issues with human-centric design for medical imaging devices.
Patient Positioning
No matter how advanced a given technology is, it’s only effective it if can access the anatomy it’s supposed to image. OEMs and designers should consider the human form factor not as an average of the population, but as a range of different people. In other words, equipment should be designed to accommodate people of various shapes and sizes.
An MRI breast coil, for example, needs to capture accurate imaging for all patients, not just those of average height, weight, and shape. The device should be designed so that:
- Patient anatomy aligns with the imaging field
- Folds do not form by the breast becoming abnormally compressed by the coil edge
- The nipple is correctly positioned directly below the breast, making it easier to locate lesions and correlate MRI images with ultrasound and mammogram images
The reality is that many imaging devices are designed with one-size-fits-all approaches that make it difficult for caregivers to properly position patients.
In Part 1 of this series, we discussed how a Michigan clinic was unable to use its revolutionary MRI breast coil due to patient discomfort and positioning difficulties – the one-size-fits-all pad did not accommodate most patients, and the face pad was too short, causing some patients’ noses to hit the mirror. Part of the solution involved developing interchangeable pads of various sizes to comfortably position patients of all body types.
Patient Comfort
Similarly, patient comfort is commonly overlooked. When machines are designed for the average person, but not every person:
- Patients experience discomfort and pain
- Patients cannot remain stationary for imaging
- Caregivers cannot capture quality images due to patient movement
OEMs and designers should consider how patients interface with their machines to optimize comfort. The best strategy is to test devices with real-world people of various shapes and sizes, then:
- Ask patients to report any pain points
- Explore solutions that address those pain points
- Re-test to ensure all patients remain comfortable during imaging
The process might require multiple rounds of testing and patient feedback before you find the perfect solution. If it seems like everyone prefers different options, you likely need multiple versions of your solution, such as different-sized pads or spacers.
In our MRI breast coil example, patients reported that a rigid plastic housing caused sternum and nauseating rib pain that lasted for hours after the test. The clinic was able to resolve those issues with broader pads that raised the hips to relieve sternum and rib pressure. Spacers allowed caregivers to set the pad height according to each individual patient’s preferences.
The pad material was also reimagined. Where the original pad employed single open cell foam that allowed patients to “bottom out,” the redesigned pads featured a stack-up of memory foam for comfort and closed cell foam for support, covered in a breathable medical fabric. The pads relieved pressure and eliminated pain, and patients were able to comfortably lay stationery for the 30 to 45 minutes required to complete an MRI.
Imaging Compatibility
Patient positioning systems must be compatible with the imaging equipment they’re designed for. For example, pads designed for MRI machines should be nonferrous so they do not affect the magnetic field while in use. Pads, arm boards, and table extenders designed for X-rays and fluoroscopies must be radiolucent so they don’t obscure images.
Strategic material selection reduces or eliminates artifacts and fosters excellent image quality, which in turn improves diagnostic accuracy and overall medical outcomes.
By prioritizing patient positioning, patient comfort, and imaging compatibility, the Michigan clinic was able to salvage its MRI breast coil investment and reported that:
- Patients were instantly comfortable and pain-free
- Patients could lay stationery for procedures
- Caregivers no longer struggled to position patients with additional pillows and cushions to obtain clear, high-quality images
In fact, many recurring patients complimented the clinic’s new positioning system and were grateful that they no longer had to endure pain and discomfort. The system granted the clinic a competitive advantage, vastly improved the patient experience, and helped caregivers deliver accurate diagnoses, underscoring the value of human-centric design.
Next Step
Learn more about the benefits of human-centric design in Part 3 of this series.
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