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Author Archive: Michael Wiklund

Michael Wiklund is founder and president of Wiklund Research & Design Inc. (Concord, MA). He can be reached via his Web site at www.wiklundrd.com.

DESIGN

Animated Videos Guide User Interactions with Complex Medical Devices

The time has come for integrating animated instructions into your devices.

PRODUCT DESIGN

Refined Touchpoints Drive Quality Perceptions

Today, a medical device must be more than functional; it must also look and feel sophisticated. Device designers can use refined touchpoints to influence users' perceptions of the quality of a device.

VALIDATION

Usability Testing: Validating User Interface Design

Summative usability testing can quickly reveal whether a manufacturer has effectively addressed users’ needs. With input from an FDA expert, a human factors consultant weighs in on how to do it right.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INSIGHT

The Art of Screen Design: Part 1

Medical device manufacturers can greatly improve a device by investing in the visual style of its software user interface.

The Art of Screen Design: Part 2

Good software user interface aesthetics can reinforce for a user that the device is professional, innovative, and high quality.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INSIGHT

Addressing Women’s Needs in Surgical Instrument Design

As the number of women surgeons continues to rise, device manufacturers need to consider different design strategies to accommodate the requirements of this group of end-users.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INSIGHT

Defining and Designing for Worst-Case Users

Understanding common limitations of potential device users can help designers develop devices with safe and effective user interfaces.

AN MD&DI ROUNDTABLE

Developing User Requirements for Global Products

Design experts discuss the demands that come with more globalization, including how to develop products that serve multiple markets.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INSIGHT

Return on Investment in Human Factors

Although the cost of human factors programs may seem daunting, the savings realized from them more than justify their expense.

DEVICE MISUSE

Addressing the Problem of Medical Device Misuse

Medical device misuse is unavoidable. But how much responsibility should device manufacturers bear for creating safer products?

HUMAN FACTORS

Human Factors: Moving in the Right Direction

Device manufacturers have increased their use of human factors experts over the past 25 years—but the discipline is still fighting an uphill battle.

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

Intuitive Design: Removing Obstacles Also Increases Appeal

Following advice from caregivers can ensure ease of use.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INSIGHT

Medical Devices That Talk

Talking medical devices can enhance the way users interact with such products. But how can you ensure that your device is actually helpful?

HUMAN FACTORS DESIGN

Eleven Keys to Designing Error-Resistant Medical Devices

Manufacturers can help reduce use error in the clinical setting by integrating good human factors practices and user-friendly design into their medical devices.

USER MANUALS

Medical Device User Manuals: Shifting toward Computerization

Will manufacturers digitize their medical device user manuals as readily as they've digitized other aspects of their operations?

ALARMS

Answering the Call for Harmonization of Medical Device Alarms

Industry sounds off on a new document aimed at standardizing the design of alarm systems for use in medical equipment.

R&D HORIZONS

Patient Simulators Breathe Life into Product Testing

Patient simulators enable device manufacturers to conduct realistic usability tests early in the development process, without placing patients at risk.

USER INTERFACE PATENTS

Patenting Software User Interfaces

Supporters of patenting software user interfaces claim that the practice sparks creativity and contributes to the overall progress of the technology.

HUMAN FACTORS

Making Medical Device Interfaces More User-Friendly

Ten design tips for enhancing user interfaces and improving medical device usability.

TECHNOLOGY

Why Choose Color Displays?

There is an entire class of medical devices, such as infusion pumps, blood gas analyzers, and ventilators, that could be considered technological centaurs—part mechanical device and part computer.