Medtronic - Synergy Experience StealthStation System | ROLE: INTERACTION DESIGN DIRECTION
To minimize injury during spine surgery, orthopedists and neurosurgeons are increasingly looking to technology to provide them with higher precision and accuracy. Recognizing this need, Medtronic Navigation, a division of the world’s leading medical technology company, developed a surgical navigation solution for spine surgery that inspires surgeon and patient confidence, promotes efficiency, and minimizes exposure to harmful radiation.
Integrating New Surgical Technologies Into the Operating Room Through User-Centered Design
Three months were spent observing surgeries in various hospitals around the US. The observations led to a deep understanding of the dynamics between different team members in the operating room. With these insights, a graphical and physical interface was designed that provides a clear division of responsibilities and tasks according to the degree of medical expertise possessed by each staff member interacting with the device. The design includes a familiar input device and intuitive touchscreen controls, which reduce the required learning curve and improve communication among members of the operating room. Stored preferences ensure a personalized experience for each surgeon and increase efficiency throughout the surgery process.
Using advanced imaging technology such as MRI and CT scans, the StealthStation generates 3D maps of the patient's anatomy, allowing surgeons to visualize critical structures in real time during procedures. The system provides dynamic guidance by registering the patient's anatomy with the surgical instruments, enabling surgeons to navigate intricate pathways and delicate tissues with minimal disruption precisely.
Utilizing electromagnetic tracking and computer algorithms, the StealthStation constantly updates the surgical field, ensuring precise localization and alignment of instruments relative to the patient's anatomy. This level of precision improves surgical outcomes and minimizes the risk of damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The Medtronic StealthStation empowers surgeons with enhanced visualization and precision to optimize patient care.
Home and Patient Management Screen
The Medtronic StealthStation system home screen presents physician profiles that allow surgeons to invoke customized settings for the system instantly. A step-by-step navigation tier at the top of the interface grounds users in their current state regarding setting up equipment and completing surgical procedures.
Orientation and Setup
Research revealed that some facilities needed guidance in setting up equipment as the staff was not always familiar with how to set up the StealthStation. A schematic showing an overhead representation of the optimal hardware configuration and an interactive step-by-step setup guide was designed.
Focused View
When designing the interface, the team ensured the surgeon’s view had primacy. Interface elements not essential to viewing anatomical visuals could quickly be hidden.
Tools On-Demand