Solutions:
- Thermal Management
- Portable Power Management
- Mechanical Design
- Electrical Design
- Industrial Design
- User Experience
- Brand Experience
- FDA 510k
01 Life Saving Opportunity
After Texas oil billionaire T. Boone Pickens decided to back medical startup Trimira LLC, M3 Design was chosen to transform the Trimira Multi-Spectral technology into a revolutionary cordless oral cancer screening device, the IdentafiTM 3000. M3 was tasked with bringing the idea from concept to production, including supporting FDA 510k submissions and clinical evaluations while using a technology that had no precedent application. Time to market was critical.
02 New Product, New Brand, New Company
M3 understood that it was critical for dentists, hygienists, and periodontists to adopt Trimira’s technology for the IdentafiTM 3000 to succeed. M3’s design and development goals became clear: Promote Trimira’s brand with user-centered design solutions. The first interaction with potential customers and the IdentafiTM 3000 had to be a great experience that exceeded expectations and fulfilled the brand promise. M3 employed multiple research methods to understand the users’ environments and uncover latent needs. The insights obtained from this user-centric research were then translated into the products’ form, functionality, out-of-box experience and storage system.
03 Concept to Completion
The overall form of the IdentafiTM 3000 was determined by translating the Trimira brand attributes into a design with the necessary ergonomics for handheld use. The device needed to be compact in diameter, balanced in the hand, operated ambidextrously, and easily controlled while in use. The compact form offered opportunities for M3 engineering innovation in the design of the complete product: circuit board assemblies, switch mechanisms, optical design tradeoffs, aluminum housing, thermal design, and plastic tip disposable design all in a small diameter package.
To achieve desired user control, a custom, universal, light-touch toggle switch was designed by M3 to switch between the different light modes during oral cancer screening. Research determined that the switch had to be easily operated by thumb or forefinger. The lightweight, precision machined aluminum housing, batteries, and overall length were designed for maximum comfort.
To maximize power efficiency, M3 controlled the LED optical output and device power through electrical and firmware design. A unique thermal solution was created for the device that dissipated heat from the LEDs while preventing any discomfort to the user’s hand during operation.
04Out of Box Experience
The user’s first interaction with the IdentafiTM 3000 is with their new device’s shipping container. With that in mind, M3 choreographed this aspect of the customer experience to ensure positive results. The layers of Trimira’s product packaging communicate a hierarchy of elements that educate the user about the IdentafiTM 3000 system, including how it works and how it integrates into their environment. Product, documentation and accessories were carefully arranged to provide a simple and direct unpacking and installation experience.
05 A seamless Work-Flow System
The IdentafiTM 3000 will not be beneficial if it becomes lost in a drawer or cannot be transported easily to where it is needed. To address this concern, M3 designed a support system for the device that included storage for the number of disposables needed for a day’s operation and locations to hold the special patient and doctor eyeglasses that must be worn during the procedure. Keeping everything together and within reach in a branded container system helps promote increased product usage for more saved lives.
06 Why M3?
M3 was uniquely equipped to solve Trimira’s difficult challenges. Combining expertise in Industrial Design, Design Research, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering allowed Trimira to leverage a robust product development process to create the revolutionary IdentafiTM 3000 in a very short time. M3’s outcome-focused approach combined with deep experience in the product development process enabled M3 to address users’ needs that included the relationship to the device, packaging, and workflow support system in a dental environment.
The result is an innovative, cost-effective, on-time Daring Solution to Trimira’s Difficult Challenge.