IDEO

BUSINESS PLANNING & TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Medtronic Navigation (Louisville, CO) and (Palo Alto, CA) collaborated to redesign a computer-assisted surgery system for spine procedures. The collaboration began with three months of contextual surgical observations, leading to a deep understanding of the product's hardware and software needs and the dynamics that occur among various team members in the operating room. The resulting product, the Synergy Experience SteathStation system, seamlessly integrates into existing operating room (OR) infrastructures and work flows. The graphical interface helps streamline responsibilities and tasks and provides personalized settings for each surgeon, thus reducing the required learning curve and improving communication within the OR. The addition of specific hardware—specifically a sterile mouse and a dedicated screen for the surgeon—further facilitates interactions and reduces the intrusiveness of the system. Throughout the redesign effort, the team considered the entire OR experience so that all aspects of the product properly support flow.

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