BIS VISTA Monitoring System: Aspect Medical Systems
Bleck Design Group collaborated with Aspect Medical System's team to design the 
BIS VISTA Monitor. The result is a space-saving design with an easy-to-use touch screen. We provided user research, industrial design, design for manufacturing, and on-going consulting and evaluation of engineering details.
Bleck Design Group improved ergonomics, manufacturing cost and reliability in this 
connector system. We improved the ergonomics by adding design features to guide the users intuitive understanding. Through FEA analysis, simplified assembly concepts, and improved tooling the quality and manufacturing yield improved. We provided user research, ergonomic design, industrial design and mechanical engineering through production.
BISx System – This device provides critical signal processing to the sensitive sensor data from Aspect's patient senor. Bleck Design Group developed the design to meet flexible requirements for pre and post operative environments. The round shape dissipates heat and can withstand being caught under a patient bed. The round perimeter is easier to water proof. The contrasting color makes the device easy to find in any color field.
Senticare Pill Station®: Home Care Pill Dispenser
The Pill Station® by Senticare is a home based monitored pill dispenser. This Pill Station® helps a patient comply with drug regiments and avoid expensive hospitalization due to over and under dosage. Senticare conceived of a call-center based communication link in order to monitor home-care patients with critical medications. The PillStation® has a scanning camera that takes a picture of the pill tray contents and sends this to the call center. The call center then compares this picture to the patients drug plan. A speaker and microphone provide a one touch link to the call center. A display and signal light provides additional communication.
Start-Up Program
Bleck Design Group provided Senticare a complete
Start-up set of design services. This represents our classic set of services that help new companies launch ground-breaking innovative products.
Founders and Investors
We helped the founders explain the design to investors and estimate the development costs. The concept was illustrated in models and drawings to provide an easy to understand product explanation.
Definition and Specification: Users were researched through interviews and presenting alternative concepts. Technology and components were selected, evaluated and transformed into feasibility models. User needs and technology were considered to make trade-offs and optimize performance and cost.
Concept to Production: Bleck Design Group provided industrial design, mechanical engineering, prototypes, and production sourcing. We provided a virtual design and engineering department for Senticare and worked as a part of their team as the design entered manufacturing.
Pill Tray - User Centered Design
The PillStation® has a novel (patent pending) pill tray designed to meet a wide range of behaviors in active patients.
Filling the Bin: Research showed patients and caregivers often organize medication once per week by sitting at a table and carefully loading each dose. Sitting at the PillStation would be impractical. So the entire weeks pills are snapped into a removable frame. This allows a caregiver to sit down at a table and carefully organize the doses.
Patient Impairments: Patients often have impaired vision, reduced tactile sensation or arthritis. The daily bins snap into the frame and have a large "push" button to eject the tray. The tray has three chambers (AM, Noon, PM) with individual doors allowing easy access the pills. The doors have large easy to grab handles.
Monitoring: The tray is placed in the PillStation®and a picture is taken of the pills by a camera and lighting that move behind the seven daily bins. This creates a recorded picture of the tray contents that is sent by a telephone connection to a call center. The call center then quickly reviews the tray status and compares this to the plan.
Communications: A speaker, microphone, graphical LCD and signal light provide easy to understand communications. One button push connects the patient to the call center for help. Positive messages arrive when a patient is on-plan. Alerts are sent when patient deviates from the plan.
CO2 Heart Laser 2™
Bleck Design Group developed the external skin design for PLC's high-power CO2 Heart Laser 2™. Bleck Design Group started with the previous clinical trial Heart Laser. The project compacted the technology resulting in a 60% size reduction and a weight savings of 1,400 pounds. Stability, doorway pass through and fluid spill proofing greatly influenced the design. The large handles and caster placement were designed to meet ergonomic needs of users transporting the device between operating rooms. The touch screen enables user-friendly operation.
The external panels are thermoformed ABS and the design won the Thermoforming Institute’s National Award for Innovation in Thermoformed Plastic Parts.
SuturTek 360° Fascia Closure Device
SuturTek is an award-winning medical device company that develops patented suturing devices for a wide range of applications. Bleck Design Group developed the drive mechanism and handle for this innovative fascia suturing device. The SutuTek 360 Facia Closure Device is a handheld mechanical suturing device that gives surgeons all the flexibility of suturing by hand, with improved control and speed, and no danger of needle sticks.
2006 Gold - Medical Design Excellence Award
2006 Silver - Industrial Design Excellence Award
Design Process
510K application and Feasibility Model: The project started with development of a feasibility model to demonstrate the concept and complete animal and cadaver tests. The model design and model fabrication were completed in about eight weeks and three models were sent for sterilization validation.
Surgical Evaluation: Under an Investigational Research Exception (IDE) the model was used in several human surgeries. The tests indicated increased length and changes in angles would be needed.
The design was revised to improve the ergonomics of the handle. The handle design was engineered to have a balanced feel with a minimum size. CNC machined prototype handles were used to meet the need for steam sterilization. These models were used to demonstrate the device for investors.
Production Design: The final design included one final set of ergonomic changes. The drive handle changed to have a reverse curve with a center groove to improve grip. Part designs were revised for injection molding and other high-volume production processes.
Dendritics 500 Gem Scale
The Dendritics 500 is a portable carat scale to weigh 500 carats, 100 grams and 64.30dwt. all by .01 resolution. It is the ideal jeweler’s scale. At 8” x 7” x 2” and weighing less than 2 lbs. with batteries included, it is as portable as it is durable. The only jewelry scale ever designed with two displays to allow two parties to view the weight simultaneously.
Bleck Design Group invented the gem tray which uses a unique system of concentrianic steps to minimize cascading while pouring gems. The case is design with “coffee holes” to prevent spills from shorting out the electronics. We provide industrial design, mechanical engineering, and source management for molded parts.
In-Situ Spectroscopy Teact 4000
Bleck Design Group created a compact enclosure designed to fit under laboratory fume hoods, occupy a minimum of bench space and provide chemical protection to the system. Working with Mettler Toledo’s core technology team, Bleck Design Group provided industrial design and engineering for the enclosure. The base provides a ballast weight to counterbalance the sampling arm. The housings are thermoformed from chemical resistant ABS blend and painted for chemical resistance.
Emerge Interactive: Hand Held Beef Inspection Instrument
This hand held device flashes a high energy LED filtered light and can detect the presence of clorophile on animal carcases and displays this on the screen. The device is used inside meat processing plants. The device must be waterproof, withstand animal fats, cleaning chemical and steam washing. Bleck Design Group developed the ergonomics, industrial design and mechanical engineering of the enclosure.