Abiomed Haptics: Femoral & Axillary Access

Pioneering VR Training for Medical Professionals, 2023.

What

Primary Designer of a project that redefined medical education using cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology. The core focus was to provide healthcare professionals with an opportunity to master femoral and axillary access procedures through immersive, hands-on experiences.

Why

In medical training, conventional methods have their limitations. Our project was motivated by the vision of breaking these boundaries. By crafting a VR experience that replicated femoral and axillary access procedures, we empowered medical professionals with a training platform that not only enriched their skills but also instilled confidence in performing these procedures in real-world clinical settings.

Process

Strategic Framework

  • Scheduled design review and cycle processes

  • Established a framework for efficient feedback channels and alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

    Task Orchestration

  • Task backlog (with "How might we" qs)

  • UI wireframes

  • instructional copywriting

  • two-handed interaction considerations.

Storyboarding the Critical Sequence
Recognizing the pivotal nature of the initial needle insertion step in femoral access procedures, I crafted a storyboard. Evolving from initial sketches to an interactive prototype using Axure RP, this storyboard served as a visual narrative, illustrating the VR user's actions and the tactile feedback they would experience through haptic devices.

 

User Journey, Enhanced into an Experience Map
Collaborating closely with a medical expert, we shaped a comprehensive user journey in Miro, moving beyond mere process steps to encompass learning objectives, product goals, and user emotions. This evolved into an immersive experience map, encompassing details like haptic feedback, assessment criteria, user interactions, and potential challenges.

User Flow and Feature Specifications
Through meticulous effort, I crafted a detailed user flow, in Miro, that provided engineers with a structured guide for seamless implementation. Simultaneously, I developed feature specifications (visualized in Illustrator), including specs on how to achieve all the possible user interactions as a trainee using the haptic devices, and a Unity prototype for an innovative tool-handling solution. This embodiment of creative problem-solving added a layer of innovation to the project's development.

UI Wireframing, Unity Implementation, and Prototyping
Proceeded with UI wireframing in Figma (UI colour palette and fonts as per client’s brand guidelines) and Unity development. This dual role manifested in the translation of design blueprints into immersive VR interactions. My hands-on involvement extended to the creation of a Unity-based <magic> sphere prototype, offering a groundbreaking solution for tool transitions between procedural steps.

Creation of Instructional Manuals
In the project's final phases, I devised comprehensive instructional manuals. These guides outlined optimal workstation configurations, encompassing haptic device placement, desk height, procedural walk-throughs, and other pivotal aspects. This final touch ensured a frictionless and productive user experience.

Takeaway

This immersive VR project shows the significance of research-driven design, interdisciplinary synergy, and iterative refinement.

In hindsight, I would advocate for the establishment of specific field-of-view parameters to ensure optimal UI placement, mitigating challenges posed by real-world devices such as C-arms. Additionally, addressing the variance between standard desk height and hospital bed height would refine the VR experience's fidelity for all users.

Softwares: Jira, Confluence, Figma, Illustrator, Unity, Axure RP, Miro, Google Docs. Client: Abiomed. Company: Fundamental Surgery