Quanta Wins Coveted MacRobert Award
The Nesspresso Device of Kidney Dialysis
The UK’s longest running and most prestigious award for UK engineering and innovation has been awarded to Smallfry client, Quanta Dialysis Technologies. An award that celebrates engineering developments that demonstrate outstanding engineering innovation, commercial success and tangible social benefits.
Dubbed as the Nespresso device of kidney dialysis, Quanta’s SC+ is set to transform dialysis patients lives with improved accuracy, reliability and more importantly, the convenience to treat themselves at home to a schedule that works for them.
With a 25% saving potential to the NHS when compared to the traditional way of providing dialysis, innovation like the SC+ will be crucial if we are to address the growing challenges being seen within NHS trusts.
Innovation and Ingenuity
Quanta’s SC+ haemodialysis system device is simply revolutionary. An innovation that can trace its roots back to a humble juice dispenser and after a decade of development, the SC+ device is helping to bridge the care gap from hospital to the home. It has been designed to improve patient treatment whilst alleviating pressure from an already overwhelmed health service AND provide an opportunity for the NHS to save BIG.
The SC+ is a high-performance dialysis machine that is both portable and easy to use. With the development of a clever cartridge system which manages the dosing of fluid, the device has dramatically simplified the fluid management system. No longer will dialysis patients need to fit their lives around the 4-hour treatment, 3 times a week visit at the hospital. They will be able to create a personalised treatment schedule that works for them, in the comfort of their home. With improved fluid removal accuracy, the hope is that patients will feel well enough to continue with their day post treatment.
Patient Centric Design
To support the development of the SC+, Smallfry were tasked with further developing the aesthetics and industrial design. By following a user-focused approach, the Smallfry design team were able to go beyond styling. To create a device that not only seamlessly fitted within the home environment but enabled dialysis to fit around the patient’s life. Truly sympathising with their needs.
In-depth consultations with Quanta’s patient advocate team ensured patient needs were captured and incorporated and an accelerated development process with the use of block models and aesthetic prototypes helped the team clarify and communicate Quanta’s ambitions to a wider audience.
Standards, Styling and Risk Management
Working on medical devices is demanding and rightly so. The key is to have well defined goals that not only address the project development goals, but have an understanding of both rational and emotional requirements, all without losing sight of the high standards and risk mitigation requirements.
If you’re working on your next medical device and would value strategic design input, get in touch with Kelly at design@smallfry.com
