Shenzhen Anke is a leader in China's advanced medical imaging technology, dedicated to pioneering core technologies for CT and MRI systems. In a fast-paced medical device industry, Anke aimed to launch a flagship product that would not only demonstrate their technical superiority but also establish a new benchmark for patient experience and clinical workflow.

LKK Design was commissioned to provide comprehensive product design and interaction design for this flagship product—the ANATOM S800, a super-high-end 256-slice spiral CT scanner.

The project goals were clear and user-focused:

1. Enhance Patient Comfort: Mitigate patient anxiety and claustrophobia associated with CT scanning.

2. Optimize Usability: Create an intuitive system for technologists, ensuring operational efficiency.

3. Embody Advanced Technology: The physical form must communicate the cutting-edge capabilities within, such as ultra-fast, low-dose scanning.

4. Ensure Serviceability: Design for easy maintenance and repair to maximize clinical uptime.

Our process was a holistic journey from user research to prototyping, ensuring every detail was meticulously crafted.

1. Design Research
We began by immersing ourselves in the clinical environment. Through observation and stakeholder interviews, we identified key pain points: patients feared the confined scanner aperture, and technologists needed a more streamlined workflow. This research placed patient psychological comfort at the core of our design strategy.

2. Industrial Design
The industrial design directly addresses the project's core objectives. The overall form uses a concentric circle design to create a sense of harmony and approachability. A critical innovation is the sculpted aperture. Its lordosis shape visually enlarges the opening, effectively reducing the patient's feeling of confinement and alleviating claustrophobia before the scan begins. The clean, flowing lines communicate precision and advanced technology.

3. Interaction Design
We optimized the entire user interaction, with a significant focus on the breathing indicator module. This component is crucial for obtaining clear images. We redesigned its visual and interactive cues to be clearer and more calming for patients, guiding them comfortably through the breathing process to ensure higher scan success rates.

4. Mechanical Structure Design
Our structural team worked to integrate the elegant exterior with the complex internal engineering. The design prioritizes accessibility for maintenance. Panels and components are strategically placed for easy access by service technicians, minimizing downtime. The structure is robust and engineered to house the advanced internal hardware without compromising the sleek external form.

5. Prototyping and Testing
Full-scale prototypes were built and tested. We conducted simulated scans to validate the comfort of the aperture design, the clarity of the breathing indicator, and the overall ergonomics. This iterative process allowed us to refine every detail for real-world clinical performance.

The collaboration resulted in the ANATOM S800 CT, a product that delivers exceptional value:

• Patient-Centric Experience: The design successfully alleviates patient anxiety, making advanced diagnostics more comfortable.

• Operational Excellence: The CT is characterized by easy operation and convenient maintenance, enhancing workflow efficiency.

• Clinical Superiority: It provides high-definition image quality for whole-body and cardiac imaging while significantly reducing radiation dose.

• Award-Winning Recognition: A testament to its outstanding design, the ANATOM S800 was honored with the prestigious 2020 German iF Design Award.

The ANATOM S800 demonstrates how human-centered design elevates advanced medical technology, providing more powerful diagnostic tools for the medical frontline.