CryoCell
A patented, self contained, instantaneous biopsy freezer conceptualized and tested for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
More time is priceless
When it comes to researching cancerous cells a the atomic level, mere minutes at room temperature after excision is all it takes for a sample to lose its original structure, muddying its usefulness in future research. Product Creation Studio was approached by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to find a way to instantaneously freeze tissue samples immediately after excision, locking in its priceless natural state. The deliverables included:
Generation of ideal product workflow
User evaluation and testing
Visionary concept development
Functional testing
Preparing testing data for additional grant funding
Understanding the User
Before creating any concepts, we set the framework for the development by establishing the user needs, leading us into understanding the potential workflow for this product. Through this process we drive a number of collaborative exercises with the client to dive deep into their process and discover user needs they may not have even known existed.
The key components we’re trying to glean from this process is learning the existing workflow for collecting tissue samples for research and through that understanding the tools, instruments, space and people involved with collecting samples. These provide us with a framework to distill the essential needs we will eventually be developing a product around.
User Group 1: Surgeons, surgical technologists and nurses
User Group 2: Lab technicians, Cold chain package handlers
User Group 3: The scientists and researchers who will be handling the samples
Workflow
Using a nondescript design, we tell the story back to the client with simple visuals to describe each action in the user’s workflow while incorporating the needs generated for the user and the product. Ideally the steps will be fundamentally close to the actual product workflow regardless of final design.
Step 1: Surgical tech delivers the biopsy freezer to the operating room and the freezer is opened in the sterile field
Step 2: The freezer is opened and the sample vial is removed
Step 3: The tissue sample is places in the vial and labeled before being placed back into the freezer
Step 4/5: The freezer is closed and the activation safety guard is removed. When pressed, the button both locks the freezer and activates the freezing process
Step 6: Now frozen, the sample will now be shipped to a research center for analysis
Prototyping and Usability Testing
With the ideal workflow defined, our next step is to test it with usability prototypes. The parameters allow us to explore a variety of mechanical interactions and form factors to gather feedback on a range of variables, ultimately providing design and usability direction for future concepts.
The study evaluated 3 interactive concept models for user preference. The study tested vial insertion, package sealing, and cooling activation. Users were instructed to work through a predefined workflow, determined in earlier development phase, to evaluate the concepts consistently and fairly.
Grant milestones and timeliness to freeze were measured by comparing each prototype against a single simulated liquid nitrogen workflow.
Simulated workflow began at sample collection and ended at activation.
Concept A (left) : side-by-side refrigerant and sample packaging and a two step activation method. Concept B (center) : stacked component architecture and an all in one step activation method. Concept C (right): stacked component architecture and a two step activation method
Testing Methodology
We tested six participants including four lab scientists and two surgical nurses. They were asked to follow a talk aloud protocol throughout the session to help communicate ideas and thoughts. Participants were given a step by step instruction sheet and given time to examine the prototypes on their own followed by a formative test, explanation by our team, and summative test. A pre-study and post-study were distributed to baseline participants thoughts and field any further input.
Blind introduction
First impressions of product without following workflow
Workflow Walkthrough
First time using product as intended following workflow. Vial Insertion → Locking → Activation
Timed Interaction
Second time going through workflow. This was timed for the grant application
Workflow Introduction
Introduction to visionary workflow to help explain interaction steps.
→ 2
→ 3
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Visionary Concepts
Using both qualitative and quantitative feedback, we developed a new concept that combines the best features from each prototype while improving on certain key features such as use instructions, stability, and disposability.
Epilogue
The CryoCell has been awarded a patent for the novel method of instantaneous freezing we developed and has been extensively tested with real tumor samples showing very favorable results. This method of freezing tissue will help lead the charge in the next generation of cancer research.
