HS Design (HSD) announced today that it was selected as a supplier to a finalist for two 2012 Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA). The two supplier finalist categories are: In Vitro Diagnostics for the Biomarker Strategies SnapPath 1000 instrument and Radiological and Electromechanical Devices for the Canfield Scientific DermScope.  Click here for more info.

Make sure you see both part 1 and Part 2 of the videos from The Dr. Oz Show!

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Cure for Depression?

VECTRA XT is a completely integrated 3D photographic system for plastic and reconstructive surgeons. The camera array captures a 3D image of the anatomical area of interest, and proprietary software enables virtual simulation of surgical procedures.  The most common application would be for breast reconstruction after mastectomy or to correct deformities.

HSD worked with the Canfield team to design this product to be patient friendly and aesthetically non-intimidating. Rounded corners and low contrasting break lines minimize the form. The instrument is designed to go against a wall, giving a level of modesty when images are taken of the patient. The automatic height adjustment allows the patient to stand in a comfortable natural position while the instrument moves to the their proper height.

April 10-12, 2012

The University Hotel Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN

Tor Alden, of HS Design, to speak at the world’s premiere medical devices conference. The conference provides a national forum to bring together world-class medical device designers, researchers, manufacturers, and the public sector to share perspectives and innovations in medical device design.

Tor’s presentation will highlight the recent FDA draft guidance for applying human factors and usability engineering to optimize medical device design. Highlights and case studies will focus on how usability techniques are used to fulfill proper design of medical device user interfaces.

The University of Minnesota’s Medical Devices Center, part of the Institute for Engineering in Medicine, the College of Science and Engineering, and the Academic Health Center is presenting the 11th Annual Design of Medical Devices Conference.

For more information or to register click here

GE Healthcare announced today the shipment of the Omnyx™ VL4 scanner to beta customers worldwide.  To date, six Omnyx VL4 scanners have been shipped and are in operation for testing purposes. This marks a significant milestone in Omnyx’s efforts to deliver a leading Integrated Digital Pathology solution.  The Omnyx solution will be demonstrated at the upcoming Pathology Visions conference in San Diego.

The scanner is tightly integrated to an enterprise software solution that enables high-speed digital viewing over standard networks and provides a complete digital workflow for research use for both the pathologist and histology personnel.

HSD partnered with Omnyx, assisting in Design Research, Industrial Design, GUI, Engineering and prototyping leading to the successful manufacturing launch of the new VL4 scanner.

The corporate re-branding reflects the Company’s expanding focus on delivering genomic applications for its nanoAnalyzer System®, a platform that uses single-molecule imaging to visualize extremely long nucleic acids and reveal genome architecture in its native state. BioNano Genomics makes full genome understanding more accessible to researchers and clinicians who seek simpler ways of examining whole genomes while extending their investigations beyond the realm of variation at the level of only a few nucleotides.

BioMarker Strategies was recently awarded an additional NCI SBIR contract to develop companion diagnostic test and raises $2.3M in investments.  HS Design was hired by BioMarker Strategies to work on the development of user research, usability, design and development for both the SnapPath™ Platform  including the instrument, Graphical user interface (GUI) and injection molded disposable cartridge.  The program will see HS Design working with BioMarker Strategies towards the complete development of its benchtop instrument for clinical trials and commercial release. The SnapPath™ biomarker testing system* is an automated live tumor cell processing platform that enables next-generation predictive tests—known as Functional Signaling Profiles (FSPs)—to guide targeted drug therapy selection for individual cancer patients.  http://www.genomeweb.com/dxpgx/biomarker-strategies-wins-nci-grant-biomarker-system

HSD recently completed a new program to convert an Apple iPhone 4 & iTouch into a revolutionary new medical device.  The DermScope is the world’s first intelligent dermatoscope, designed to address all of the important modes of skin visualization. DermScope helps Doctors to improve their confidence in diagnosis while increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the exam.  Images can be instantly sent across the globe for consult. The injection molded case minimized the external profile giving the unit a simple intuitive feel.

HSD collaborated with Omnyx, a GE healthcare company over the past three years in developing a full line of digital pathology solutions and peripheral devices. The designs of both the manual VL4 and The VL120 were created through careful understanding of the clinical pathologist and histologists needs.

We worked with Omnyx’s highly skilled team through all phases of the products development, including market research, industrial design, engineering, graphic User Interface design (GUI),  FEA simulation, Prototyping, FDA documentation control through manufacturing liaison. The complete solution included close involvement with Pathologist to develop an intuitive, easy to use interface and high quality high speed scanning.  The VL 120 was developed with automated control with no manual intervention needed.