EXO WORKS

Improving Ultrasound Workflow with User Centered Design.

Exo Works is a portable ultrasound system designed with a user-centered approach. It aims to provide medical professionals with an intuitive and user-friendly interface that incorporates familiar elements from traditional ultrasound machines.

The device is compact and lightweight, allowing for easy portability and use in various healthcare settings. Exo Works utilizes advanced imaging technology to deliver high-quality ultrasound images and enables clinicians to perform diagnostic examinations efficiently.

Using a design thinking process, Exo Works was developed with a focus on user-centered design principles. The following steps were undertaken to create an intuitive and user-friendly device that met the needs of medical professionals:

• Empathize: To understand the needs and preferences of medical professionals, extensive user research was conducted. This involved observing and interviewing clinicians to gain insights into their workflow, pain points, and expectations from a portable ultrasound device. By empathizing with the users, the design team gained a deep understanding of their requirements.
• Define: Based on the insights gathered from user research, the team defined the specific goals and requirements for the device. The interface needed to be intuitive and easy to use, incorporating familiar elements from traditional ultrasound machines to minimize the learning curve for medical professionals. Additionally, the device had to be compact and portable, enabling its use in various healthcare settings.
• Prototype: Multiple prototypes were developed to visualize and test the design concepts. The prototypes included interactive interfaces that allowed clinicians to provide feedback on the usability and effectiveness of the device. The prototypes were refined iteratively based on the feedback received, ensuring that the final design addressed the needs and preferences of the users.
• Ideate: During the ideation phase, the design team generated a range of concepts and ideas for the device’s interface and form factor. They explored different ways to incorporate familiar elements from traditional ultrasound machines while optimizing the device’s size and portability. This phase encouraged innovative thinking and generated a variety of potential solutions.
• Test: To validate the design, user groups were organized at Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) conferences. Medical professionals were given the opportunity to try out the device and provide feedback on its design and usability. Their input was invaluable in identifying any shortcomings or areas for improvement. The feedback from these testing sessions was carefully analyzed and incorporated into the final design.
• Implement: Taking into account the insights gained from user testing and feedback, the team finalized the device’s interface and functionality. The intuitive and user-friendly interface, incorporating familiar elements, was implemented, ensuring that medical professionals could easily adapt to the device. The compact and portable form factor was also maintained, allowing for seamless use in diverse healthcare settings.

By following a design thinking process, Exo Works was developed to prioritize the needs and preferences of medical professionals. Through user research, iterative prototyping, and testing, the device’s interface and form factor were refined to provide an intuitive and user-friendly experience. The feedback and insights from medical professionals played a crucial role in shaping the final design, resulting in a device that effectively meets the requirements of its users.