Imaging

Humanizing breakthroughs

Technology, product design, and user interface design are three parts of the same story. While the technology is largely invisible, an appealing look and feel as well as an intuitive user interface enable technologists and patients to enjoy a human-like interaction with this innovation.

3min

Doris Pischitz

Published on September 28, 2022

Therefore, when creating the look and feel of the next-generation computed tomography (CT) scanner, the design team at Siemens Healthineers set about the task of making photon-counting CT tangible and more human.

The team tackled this challenge by putting both the user and the patient at the center of design decisions – discussing steps and features with representatives from these groups.

The design principles

: All systems from Siemens Healthineers follow the same industrial design philosophy: While the gray core represents the technical intelligence – in this case, the photon-counting technology – it is embedded in a white protective shell, which represents the human touchpoints. This means that the user does not have to interact directly with the technology. The orange layer represents Siemens Healthineers as the enabler of precision medicine in a human way.

In addition, each system has its own character, which is indicated through specific details.
: In the case of photon-counting CT, the design achieves the balanced merging of the DNA of Siemens Healthineers and its CT family. Moreover, it is enriched with details that communicate uniqueness in its design. It engages customers through its premium look and feel. The user is guided by the design architecture, which at the same time appears less intimidating to the patient. The – technical – core is accentuated by the dot structure that conveys the technology to the outside in a stylized and subtle way.

Easy access

One wish that is regularly expressed by staff is that the system should be intuitive to use and at the same time less intimidating for patients. For the patient, this also means easy access to the exam position, for example via a low and easily adjustable table position. The lowest table height of 32 centimeters also makes it easy for staff to help their patients transfer to the system.

Patient anxiety is another issue that can impede exam results. Besides the well-structured system and the smooth-opening funnel, an additional lighting system at the gantry aims to help patients feel at ease during the scan.

At University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, approximately 40 patients are examined each day with NAEOTOM Alpha¹. Listen to Beate Kolb, head technologist for computed tomography, explain how her patients experience the scan.

Hygienic upgrade

Embedded hygienic design principles such as reduced detail complexity and slanting surfaces allow for proper cleaning of the system. This has always been an important requirement, even more so in times of COVID-19.

An award-winning approach

: NAEOTOM Alpha, the world's first photon-counting CT, received an iF Design Award in the product category “Medicine/Health”: The optimized workflow of the system allows staff to operate it intuitively. For reasons of sustainability and efficiency, the use of cross-system platform solutions such as the front cover of the gantry was essential, as was the implementation of several hygienic principles. The design connects all these aspects and creates the overarching story of a premium product with high performance while at the same time being human and welcoming.
: For its product design, NAEOTOM Alpha also won a Red Dot Award: The design goal was to make it possible to experience the innovative technique visually, while giving the scanner an engaging human touch. This is achieved, for instance, by the unobtrusive use of a pixelated pattern, which renders the photon counts in stylized form. In addition, the design shows a clear focus on the smoothly opening bore. Slanted surfaces and a rigorous avoidance of superfluous corners and edges allow the device to be easy to clean. From both a technological and a design point of view, NAEOTOM Alpha is a pioneer. Aesthetically, it is an attractive blend of rectilinear and relaxed elements.

Holistic user experience

What has been promised on the hardware design level has to be continued coherently on the software and user interface level. Imaging systems from Siemens Healthineers feature a coherent usability concept and unified interfaces across all modalities. Built-in expertise guides the users through exams and helps them interact intuitively and naturally with the system. This simplifies users’ tasks greatly and helps them to tap the full potential of the technology.

However, new functionalities required certain adaptations to the user interface. Features such as workspace-specific design, patient-centric navigation, and an integrated desktop-to-mobile support with tablet computers are key contributors to the photon-counting CT workflow.

Beate Kolb, head technologist for computed tomography at University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, talks about her experience of the new functionalities on the user interface.

The best of both worlds

Users who are not yet experienced in spectral imaging receive automated suggestions as to which spectral imaging settings are appropriate for which patient. These are based on the procedure and patient characteristics. They help them find the optimal combination of acquisition and reconstruction parameters for standardized results. Depending on factors such as patient size, expected compliance with breathing instructions, or indication, the protocol settings are automatically adapted.

Experienced users can configure these protocols fast and intuitively themselves. In this expert mode, they benefit from high flexibility in modifying the predefined protocols as well as from the option to integrate their knowledge into standardized protocols and make them available to all users across their institution.

Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, features a fleet of seven CT scanners with the photon-counting system as the flagship. CT radiographer and technologist Marcel Dijkshoorn talks about how the system is used in his daily work.

Integrated tablet solution

As mentioned, the gantry itself also features easy-to-use touch interfaces that can be operated by the technologist while staying at the patient’s side to prepare the actual exam and protocols on the system. The tablet mirrors the functionalities and user interface of the workstation in the control room. Technologists do not have to run back and forth between the system and the control room but can talk to the patients and calm them down if they are nervous or they can clarify instructions if patients do not understand them immediately.

Discover more

Siemens Healthineers Shape 23 Keynote

Hosted by our CEO Bernd Montag, our annual Shape Keynote event will present inspiring ideas and breakthrough innovations that enable you to tackle the big challenges in healthcare. It will take place on November 14, at 4:00 p.m. (CET).

Register here

NAEOTOM Alpha with Quantum Technology

Learn more

Listen to our podcast to understand what silver dots have to do with photon-counting CT

The secrets of CT: Photon-counting | Healthcare Perspectives

Healthcare Perspectives

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The secrets of CT: Photon-counting | Healthcare Perspectives

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Listen to learn about the limitations of traditional CT scanners and how modern scanners have overcome them. You’ll also hear about photon-counting and the impact it has on image quality. Additionally, you’ll find out the role that artificial intelligence can play in sorting and analyzing the large amount of data that modern CT scanners produce.

By Doris Pischitz

Doris Pischitz is an editor in corporate communications at Siemens Healthineers. The team specializes in topics related to healthcare, medical technology, disease areas, and digitalization.

¹ NAEOTOM Alpha is not commercially available in all countries. Its future availability cannot be guaranteed.

Beate Kolb and Marcel Dijkshoorn receive financial support from Siemens Healthineers for collaborations.

The statements by Siemens Healthineers’ customers described herein are based on results that were achieved in the customer's unique setting. Because there is no “typical” hospital or laboratory and many variables exist (e.g., hospital size, samples mix, case mix, level of IT and/or automation adoption) there can be no guarantee that other customers will achieve the same results.