Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
MAIN panel
Bootstrap panel
2
1
3
4
D
ABC
1A
ALARMS
MAIN
POWER
1B
1C
1D
Figure 8.26
A daunting man-machine interface.
to flick a switch because it is covered in blood is just as much a failure as the whole machine
going up in smoke (remember I proposed to you the concept of damaging your brand!).
Consider the layout illustrated in
Figure 8.26
. Those of you designing devices such as
ultrasound imaging systems will be used to arrays of buttons like that in
Figure 8.26
. The
buttons, knobs, dials, and switches may be ergonomic, all fit for purpose and all easily
activated (even when covered in body fluids). However, does the layout make you stand back
and a small voice in the back of your head say “Oh my God”? MMI is all about removing the
“OMG” reaction. Yes, some units are complex by their very nature, but one does have to think
about the end-user!
8.8.3 Design for Desirability
We now go back to the discussion about design in Chapter 1. Desirability breaks down to “I
know I need it, but do
I
want it?” Here I will use one example to demonstrate what I mean. If
you are short or long sighted then you will probably have some spectacles somewhere. Some
of you will have contact lenses because you do not want to wear spectacles. Those of you
who wear spectacles probably took some time choosing the right frames; and why not, they
will be attached to your face for quite some time. If we take so much effort over spectacles
why do we not do the same for other medical devices? Why do we neglect the poor patient
who has to have this “thing” with them all day, maybe forever?
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