IV pumps are one of those medical devices that haven’t changed in a long time. Electromechanical peristaltic pumps that move fluid have been the standard in hospitals. Turnpoint Medical Devices had developed a new pneumatic fluid drive that didn’t require complex tube loading or multiple moving parts and rollers that depress tubes. This significantly reduced the chance of air bubbles and tube degradation. They required a new design that would work in a hospital. The pump needed to be viewed from a distance, stackable, easy to use and clean, as well as incorporate their unique fluid drive.
The result is a familiar and non-threatening design, for high-stress environments like a hospital room or ER. The user interface is intentionally large to allow a nurse or doctor to easily view the remaining infusion time from a distance without disturbing a resting patient. The UI utilizes a few simple steps that are intuitive with single areas of focus to reduce cognitive load and human error. The flat top and bottom allow for multiple units to stack on top of each other for optimal storage when not in use as well as integrate a flush IV hook and a pole clamp for maximum convenience in a hospital.
In order to design an effective user interaction experience using the breeze pump, we needed to understand the user requirements and operation procedure. Being able to get a quick status update by just glancing at the device was a primary requirement. Hence the critical parameters use large and bold typography on the infusion screen and use levels of hierarchy to keep information clear and easy to understand even at a quick glance. A large progress ring gives the caregiver a simple visual indicator of the treatment status. Programming the system was broken into simple steps like scanning the medication barcode with the IR sensor on the bottom of the device to setting up the flow rate, priming the system, and starting the infusion. This was done to keep the cognitive load low and reduce human error.
The final design uses an elastomeric over-molded keypad combined with smooth surfaces. This allows for easy cleaning and reduces the build-up of dirt and grime - an important consideration for a hospital environment. Some early concepts shown below were developed using a touch-based user interface. These allow for a twenty-five percent increase in screen real estate within a similar volume and accommodate a larger display that can be viewed from further away.
