DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
SA&B : Our main goal was to make the lithotripsy device, used in kidney stone destruction operations, more effective. To achieve this, the device was subjected to industrial product design processes in accordance with the principles of Robust Design.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
SA&B : In VibrolithRbsT Project, we focused on creating a physical structure that would comply with the hospital and operating room conditions which is the main priority in all our medical devices. We completed the design process with an easily perceivable and usable architecture.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
SA&B : We will ensure that this design will have the production quality that will enable it to operate smoothly for many years and will satisfy the users.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
SA&B : We worked on design development for 8 months, from the concept idea to the final product. At the end of this period, we acquired the 3D models and technical images along with rendered images to be used in advertising-promoting activities.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
SA&B : First, we assessed the surveys completed with different users. We concluded that a long lasting and impact-resistant device with easily understandable functions and a simple exterior look would be the choice of users. We created a new concept in light of this analytical data.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
SA&B : The design will be produced by ELMED Inc. Currently, prototype productions has been completed and international quality certifications are in process. Serial production of the product that will be exhibited in Medica2012, will launch at the end of 2012.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
SA&B : Surveys and reviews performed on a wide Interland created the beginning of this work. Discussions have been made using the sketches and drafts and details of the final goal were reviewed on rendered photos. 3D modellings were then formed. Prototype was produced with Fused Deposition Modeling after completion of revisions deemed necessary by mechanical analyses and simulations. Following the controls, technical drawings and data needed for serial production were formed.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
SA&B : All the designs were created by “Robust Design Inc.” Full confidentiality was pursued until the end of design process in respect of the fair competition conditions.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
SA&B : Vibrolith RbsT, was designed exclusively for ELMED Inc. In this study, other than design criteria and user demands, sales potential and production skills of the manufacturing firm were taken into consideration as well.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
SA&B : As with many products, we used plastic injection and metal processing technologies in this Project. Thus we acquired the usual results with commonly used ABS plastic material and aluminum.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
SA&B : VibrolithRbst, is what we named the lithotripsy devices working with vibration effect.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
SA&B : The entire design process of the Project was carried with “Siemens NX8” software licensed under the name of Robust Design Inc.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
SA&B : The fact that it has a simple and compatible design language. This contributes to an error-free use in lithotripsy surgeries.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
SA&B : Design process was carried out by Robust Design and discussions were made with Mr.Sinan Kabakçı and Mr. Fatih Dağçınar regarding the concept compliance.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
SA&B : Production method and site for each piece composing the design was checked. plastic injection and metal processing technologies will be used while producing the design.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
SA&B : Mechanical analyses were simulated on the design. Strength and physical features were developed after assessing the results of such analyses.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
SA&B : The parts that were time consuming yet we enjoyed the most in this Project were the design iterations and enginerring computations carried out to produce a high quality and robust product using quicky and economically producible pieces.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
SA&B : We wanted our design to be evaluated by an international commission. We presented the design to public believing that knowledge should be shared to make it grow.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
SA&B : We have learnt to overcome the challenges in medical device design. We saw the effect of experience on design processes and achieved to transfer yet another medical design to production.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
SA&B : We are planning to utilize the experience we gained on VibrolithRbsT Project in different industrial product design studies.
