An integrated approach to the design of medical products for use in the operating theatre environment

This paper is based on the research carried out under the EPSRC funded project: ‘Investigation into an integrated human-centred approach to equipment design for use in the operating theatre’. (see Advisory Group Report Two).http://www.cfdr.co.uk/oproom/pdfs/agr2.pdf. This involved a review and analysis of medical product development in different sizes and types of company to inform design practitioners. Its findings included: problems in the compatibility of equipment and the importance of involving users in the process of developing, evaluating, rationalising and approving new systems and equipment. Young’s EPSRC project, facilitating research-led practice in medical equipment design, was instrumental in helping to inform and secure European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) to assist ‘Commercialisation of Medical Innovations (CMI) in North East England for Small to Medium Enterprises’ (research income £148K). Exploitation of these findings is on-going with development of the Pupilometer for Applied Neurodiagnostics Ltd (ANL). A US start-up company originating in Boston, ANL identified NE England as the preferred location for their start-up due to the work of CfDR for its EPSRC study and implemented in the on-going, interdisciplinary consortium: ‘Integrated Heathcare Service, Training and Product Development’ (2005). The Design Council used Young’s EPSRC final report as a case study of medical design practice excellence. PhD students, Wang addresses 3-D and 4-D thinking in relation to design via a study of the dynamics of draping and movement in fashion; Shin examines usability design and human-centred design in relation to lingerie for Eastern markets; and both Hussey and Jefferies examine new technologies in SME fashion businesses.