Schaumberg, Ill. — Medical devices should not only improve health care, but they should be designed with ergonomics in mind, according to Bryce Rutter, founder and CEO of Metaphase Design Group Inc.
Rutter's keynote, "How to Inject Ergonomics and Innovation into Medical Device Designs," led off the 2019 Healthcare Elastomer Conference in Schaumburg, discussing how to make a medical product that can both be useful and "look cool."
Part of creating an effective design is establishing an emotional connection, like with a favorite watch or a guitar, Rutter said. While medical devices aren't making the same connections as those items, their design and ease of use have an effect on the quality of how end users experience medical care.
A strong design also takes into account how a device can be used comfortably, by using the physiology of the human hand and understanding how tool shape impacts precision and control, he said. The tool should be approachable to all end users, whether a doctor is using a surgical tool or a patient is using an injection kit.
This inspection of ergonomic design becomes even more important as the world's aging population continues to grow, and current products that provide care are awkward to use or aren't designed with the dignity of the end user in mind, he said.
The Healthcare Elastomer Conference runs May 21-22 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, hosting presentations highlighting new technologies and trends in elastomers used in the medical industry.
The event was co-organized by Rubber & Plastics News, R.D. Abbott and PolyOne.
