Baxano Io Flex Surgical Tools for the treatment of Spinal Stenosis. John lead a team of designers that helped Baxano create a set of commercial products with a unique design language and refined user experience. The set of four instruments provide a revolutionary minimally invasive procedure for decompression of the spine, a treatment for spinal stenosis. The new design incorporates shapes and details that improve the usability and safety of the tools. The high contrast dark and light color scheme allows the surgical team to know which side is up, a critical consideration for this procedure.
User research started with the client's medical advisors and cadaver lab, where the design team was able to experience the prototype tools. Further observations and interviews with surgeons identified pain points and opportunities for improvements which designers brainstormed around and generated potential solutions.
Designs are explored with 2D renderings and 3D models, tested with surgeons and iterated upon until the design and details are perfected. Mechanical prototypes were 3D printed quickly created to test their potential benefits. Final 3D CAD database and design specification documents and models were delivered to Baxano to guide the final production development.
Baxano Io-Flex Surgical Tools 2009
Project Team: John Lai, Thomas Brisebras, Adam Volmer, Kevin Chao M.D.