The Future of Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Delivery
Porter MIDASTM
INDUSTRY: Dental + Oral Health
HSD EXPERTISE: Industrial Design, UIUX, Mechanical Engineering, Human Factors
CLIENT: Parker Hannifin/Porter
Dental surgeries and procedures often require the delivery and monitoring of nitrous oxide and oxygen to patients. Porter MidasTM transforms the user experience through an advanced touchscreen interface improving the accuracy and control over minute gas flow adjustments. Our team worked to define the new interface, verify its use through testing, and design the housings for manufacturing, resulting in a successful product launch for Parker/Porter.
A Break from Tradition
The project began by studying the competitive landscape and identifying the opportunity to utilize a touch interface in what is typically a manual market. We concepted on a removable monitor that could live within any dental environment whether on a portable cart, integrated into a cabinet, or mounted on a mechanical arm. Following the design direction the team moved into engineering a modern, flat, capacitive surface that could accommodate the various mounting options by using a small bracket. This flexible solution allowed for our client to provide multiple uses to their customers while keeping the number of parts required for manufacturing to a minimum. It also allowed for easy maintenance of the components if a change or improvement was ever required.
Defining a New User Experience
Our designers began their process by understanding and translating a previously physical and manual workflow into a digital one. They defined what the first touch screen UI would be for a nitrous oxide and oxygen flowmeter.
The team progressed from workflows into lo-fidelity concepts in which different flowmeter graphics and controls were explored. These varied in form and function. Some mimicked the physical predecessor devices to maintain a sense of familiarity for users, while others explored new forms and controls that took advantage of the touch capabilities.
Verifying Through User Feedback
Ultimately, the designs converged on two directions that both utilized the touch screen alongside either membrane or capacitive buttons. The primary functions live on the touch screen allowing for large visuals and generous, accurate control. However, the critical emergency flush feature remained as a physical button to ensure fast operation with clear feedback.
Two functioning and visually accurate prototypes were made and brought to a user study to test specific features and verify the design decisions, allowing for an informed down-selection to the final direction.
Human Factors Validation Studies
Our team led multiple usability studies with intended users that were essential to evaluate the proposed design concepts and define the best path forward.
These culminated in a Human Factors (HF) validation study where users were observed in a simulated environment. Users completed tasks with working prototypes in market research facilities with one-way mirrors that allowed for private observation of any potential harms or hazards. Our studies are recorded with the option for streaming to virtual observers.
This study led to the creation of an HF validation report which was used to support effective use and usability requirements.
A Successful Product Launch
Our team redefined a user experience, created a compelling design on behalf of the client, engineered for simplicity of multiple sku’s, and validated its usability, aiding Parker/Porter in turning a truly innovative solution into a market reality.
Seth Wolf, Engineering Manager at Parker/Porter commented, “Collaborating with HS Design on this project felt like working with an extension of our own team here at Parker/Porter. Providing expertise in Industrial Design, UI/UX, and Human Factors testing, HS Design worked seamlessly with our engineering team to develop a complete medical device capable of meeting and exceeding customer expectations. “
