Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
12:28
Designing a Bioreactor to Improve Data Acquisition and Model Throughput of Engineered Cardiac Tissues
Published on: June 2, 2023
Co-designing Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices: An Affinity Mapping Approach to Bring Together Clinical,
Cara Wrigley1, Genevieve Mosely2, Thomas Davidson3
1Cara Wrigley, PhD, Professor, School of Architecture, Design and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
|June 5, 2026
Summary
Co-design methods like affinity mapping integrate patient and clinician insights into mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device development. This approach enhances device usability and patient care by aligning engineering with real-world needs.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Patient-Centered Design
Background:
- Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) device development traditionally prioritizes engineering over patient and clinical insights.
- Integrating diverse stakeholder perspectives is crucial for aligning device design with clinical practice, usability, and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply affinity mapping, a co-design method, to foster collaborative reflection and decision-making among diverse stakeholders in MCS device development.
- To inform design considerations for MCS device usability and patient management by interpreting user experiences and clinical priorities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized affinity mapping as a co-design technique.
- Brought together patients, caregivers, clinicians, engineers, and coordinators for collaborative sessions.
- Facilitated shared interpretation of user experiences and clinical priorities.
Main Results:
- Affinity mapping facilitated a holistic understanding of user needs in early-stage MCS device development.
- The co-design process fostered productive dialogue between clinical and engineering teams.
Conclusions:
- Co-design methods, specifically affinity mapping, effectively leverage multistakeholder perspectives.
- This approach strengthens decision-making for future MCS device design, improving support for patients and caregivers.
