We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Gabriela Ronzová about their original and creative Computed Tomography Scanner design work. Gabriela Ronzová is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original computed tomography scanner works.
Gabriela Ronzová ("GR") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work ShellTec Computed Tomography Scanner. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
GR : Medical devices play a very important part in modern society and save many lives every day. Hospital environment can be very stressful, therefore it is important to focus on the design of medical equipment in order to decrease the number of stress factors. A simple glance at a medical device can have a strong influence on a patient's psychological condition and the overall environment appearance affects hospital staff as well. Computed Tomography (CT) scanners are among the most often used medical devices for patient body imaging. A CT scanner creates a number of images (slices) of a patient's body, which helps diagnose internal diseases and injuries. Because of high technical sophistication and a proven construction, the way most manufacturers design these devices is very similar and conventional. This was the motivation for proposing a new CT scanner design. CT scanners put high demands on daily maintenance in general, and some of it is caused by the device body and patient table being separate. Therefore, another goal was to present a different and unconventional solution for the patient table in order to allow for easier and more efficient daily maintenance and cleaning.
GR : One of the main goals was to respect the rules of ergonomics by providing maximum comfort for patients on the scanning table. Thanks to the vertical movement of the patient table it is easy even for physically challenged patients to lie down and get up again. The shape of the table also keeps the patient from falling off. Suspension of the table from the side of the device allows for more efficient floor cleaning. Daily operation is pleasant for hospital staff thanks to optimized placement of displays and controls in areas most suitable according to ergonomic requirements. From a technical standpoint, the ShellTec CT scanner brings a new solution by integrating all structural parts into one unit – the „shell“. By eliminating the gantry support columns and removing the support base of the patient table, outward appearance of this CT scanner is changed radically. This medical device has an elegant and smooth shape without any visible technical parts. Another advantage of this unconventional look is the asymmetrical and organic shaping of the supportive structure, which is inspired by nature. Internal technical layout follows that of other modern CT scanners. The gantry also allows for rotation 30 degrees back and forward. Functional connectors for other medical devices like EKG, oxymetre, etc. are situated at the rear side of the device. Speakers and microphones for patient-operator communication are positioned at the top of the gantry tunnel. Colours were chosen according to their psychological effect on patients. The basic colour is white and it is used on all support structure cover panels. White is a symbol of cleanliness and is appropriate in combination with the light pastel shades of green used as an accent colour. The ShellTec CT scanner design was created based on a detailed analysis of many information sources. In addition to technical requirements, the main focus was on the opinions of patients and professional staff. The presented design is therefore prepared for possible further developed and realization. The simple shape inspired by nature would contribute to easier daily use and should also have positive influence on psychological condition of patients and staff. Thanks to all these advantages, ShellTec CT scanner would be beneficial and useful in practice.
GR : My dream is to get my design of Computed Tomography Scanner - ShellTec on market, because I believe that it could be very beneficial in medical world.
GR : Because of very detailed analysis of many information sources and also detailed study of mechanical parts and technology, the whole concept took 2 years. Therefore the ShellTec CT scanner adheres to all the necessary ergonomic requirements for maximum patient comfort during the examination and also satisfies all the requirements for ease of use by the professional staff.
GR : As I mentioned above, medical devices play a very important part in modern society and save many lives every day. Hospital environment can be very stressful, therefore it is important to focus on the design of medical equipment in order to decrease the number of stress factors. A simple glance at a medical device can have a strong influence on a patient's psychological condition and the overall environment appearance affects hospital staff as well.
GR : Because of very high purchase and production costs, I would like to cooperate with world known producers of medical devices such as Siemens, Toshiba or GE.
GR : Nowadays computer tomography scanners have very similar look. Therefore my target was to create a new design of this medical device with respect all ergonomic and technical requirements and also with friendly design to decrease the number of stress factors.
GR : I was consulting my project with doctors at university hospitals to put special focus on professional stuff requirements.
GR : The computed tomography scanners are very expensive and huge medical device. Therefore the target customers are hospitals and health centers.
GR : From a technical standpoint, the ShellTec CT scanner brings a new solution by integrating all structural parts into one unit – the „shell“. By eliminating the gantry support columns and removing the support base of the patient table, outward appearance of this CT scanner is changed radically. This medical device has an elegant and smooth shape without any visible technical parts. Another advantage of this unconventional look is the asymmetrical and organic shaping of the supportive structure, which is inspired by nature. Suspension of the table from the side of the device allows for more efficient floor cleaning. Daily operation is pleasant for hospital staff thanks to optimized placement of displays and controls in areas most suitable according to ergonomic requirements.
GR : The name ShellTec comes from combining the words Shell (which reminds the main shape of body of the CT scanner) and Tec (which is the shortcut for technology).
GR : I used programs for 2D and 3D modelling. Also I have created the physical model in scale 1:10. Therefore I have used a many technologies, materials and also appliances to create it.
GR : The main innovation of ShellTec is suspending the patient table above the ground, allowing for easier maintenance and cleaning around the CT scanner.
GR : I was consulting this project with experienced designers and especially with experienced engineers to create design witch respects all necessary requirements.
GR : The inner part of ShellTec CT scanner is used dual source technology.
GR : As I mentioned above, the ShellTec CT scanner design was created based on a detailed analysis of many information sources. In addition to technical requirements, the main focus was on the opinions of patients and professional staff. I was consulting this project with experienced designers and especially with experienced engineers and whole designing process took 2 years.
GR : The main challenge was to create a brand new design, unique and unconventional which still respects all ergonomic and technical requirements. The biggest challenge was to deal with vertical lifting mechanism of the examination table which is housed in the main body of the this medical device.
GR : I saw this opportunity of participate at this international design competition and I think it could be a great chance to get my ShellTec CT scanner to the public and hopefully also to the market in a near future.
GR : I have learned a lot by overcoming all challenges and solving all problems during creating. It pushed myself further and I have learned that all is possible if you are willing to sacrificed.
GR : Inside of the scanning tunnel there are the built-in speakers and microphones which they are used for communication between patient and professional staff during the examination.
