Product Innovation & User Experience for Cataract and Glaucoma Treatment at Carl Zeiss

Carl Zeiss, the technology leader in optics, precision mechanics and electronic visualization, has brought Milani on board to implement several prominent innovation projects. The latest project, VISALIS 500, is an integrated workstation for the treatment of cataracts and glaucoma. Function, ergonomics, usability and the new design language were developed together in record time.

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Usability already optimized in early development phase

With the VISALIS 500, Carl Zeiss planned to launch a product innovation that would combine the most important devices for ophthalmic surgery in a single unit. Milani was involved in the early development phase to optimize the new medical device in terms of user-friendliness and to best meet the complex requirements. The challenge was that the surgical device had to be designed for different medical environments internationally. It had to be able to be operated by different people during surgical procedures, both in the sterile zone and outside.

To ensure excellent usability for all users, especially ophthalmologists and surgical assistants, Milani conducted needs assessments in various hospitals across Europe. Based on these findings, the user guidance was designed and optimized in an iterative process. Milani designed prototypes and tested them again and again with different users in diverse application contexts. The result is an ergonomically optimized surgical device that can be used flexibly in the sterile room and operated easily and comfortably by different players.

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05 milani design consulting agency product medical medtech carlzeiss carl zeiss innovation gui product

Unmet needs uncovered - innovation for high user safety

Through needs assessments and prototype testing, Milani uncovered that the VISALIS 500 is often used by ophthalmologists and their teams who only practice in hospitals on a daily basis and do not work with the device on a regular basis. Therefore, as part of the innovation process, Milani has developed an animated step-by-step tutorial that allows these teams, as well as other users, to easily and quickly learn how to use the device. Safe use during surgery is thus guaranteed at all times.

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Milani services

  • Bedürfnisanalysen und User Research in Spitälern
  • Ergonomic concepts
  • Innovation concepts
  • Product design
  • Usability testing
  • Graphical user interface
  • Hygiene concepts
  • Animated User Instructions
Therese Naef
Get in touch!
Therese Naef
CEO and Board Member
welcome@milani.ch
+41 44 914 74 74