Generative participatory design for interactive medical devices

Abstract

This paper covers the use of a novel, early stage, Participatory Design technique used within a wider User Centred Design process for the generative stage of the design of interactive medical devices.

Two commercial projects that concentrate on the interfaces for new medical products are used as case studies to illustrate the participatory design approach. The projects were conducted within a centre for design research and undertaken for two separate companies that intend to launch commercial products. This gives important contextual value to the research aspects of the work presented here.