Design Awards

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2023

Syringe Pump Control Software for Assisting Total Intravenous Anesthesia
ROP-1680 AsisTIVA

AsisTIVA is the core software of an automated system that eases anesthesiologists' workloads by helping to administer a controlled dose of anesthetics during surgery. Using vital signs from a bedside monitor, it controls the syringe pumps and calculates the optimal dosage of sedatives, analgesics and muscle relaxants for adult patients receiving total intravenous anesthesia.

We understand the importance of ensuring that the administration of anaesthetic is appropriately controlled and so created a product makes it easy to monitor the patient's general condition and safety. We achieved this by providing an easy-to-understand and easy-to-use UI with a timeline display that allows the user to instantly see the status of anaesthetic administration from the start to the end of surgery, combined with efficiently displaying information from the biometric monitor and syringe pump.
Until now anaesthesiologists have managed anaesthesia based on their own knowledge and experience. By providing them with information obtained from multiple medical devices, the system is expected to lead to greater patient safety and trust in medical care.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2022

BreathCue 
NRM-1300

The BreathCue measures and displays vital signs of neonatal ASP patients who are unable to breathe spontaneously and provides ventilation guidance to help healthcare professionals provide appropriate resuscitation. Its small size and light weight make it suitable for use during patient transport in hospitals. It is also an educational tool to promote neonatal resuscitation in developing countries.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2021

AED (Automated external defibrillator)
AED-M100

The AED-M100 is a compact, lightweight and highly portable AED, designed to be carried by medical staff and security guards at sporting and other events where cardiac arrest is a possibility. Compared to a conventional AED (AED-3100), the AED-M100 is 76% smaller and 54% lighter, with a total weight of only 1 kg, which reduces the burden on medical staff and contributes to saving lives by enabling an AED to be delivered to a patient within 1 second of an accident occurring. The reduction in the form factor of the AED has also been achieved without making large changes to the existing functionality and ease of operation. The design of the operation panel, with easily visible numbers and colour schemes that make it easy to understand the operation procedures, together with easy to understand voice guidance, contribute to the reliable application of lifesaving procedures in an emergency. In addition to the increased portability because of the smaller form factor, the AED-M100 is designed so that the disposable pads are easier to  get out, with cables that are harder to get tangled, and is stored in a specialized carrying case for emergency use.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2021

Pulse Checker
PLS-1100

The PLS-1100 Pulse Checker is a pulse sensor applied to the forehead of a sick or injured person to detect the presence or absence of a pulse and display the appropriate resuscitation procedures on a screen. The Pulse Checker is designed to aid civilian rescuers in situations at an accident site where it's hard to determine whether the victim's heart has stopped or not. The sensor, which uses pulse oximetry technology is applied to the patient's forehead and as soon as the power is turned on, the Pulse Checker automatically detects the patients pulse and provides instructions on the use of an AED and CPR. The simple 3 step operation and simple screen display aims to improve effectiveness and usability in emergency situations. To make the Pulse Checker easy to carry around in daily use, it was made lighter and also has a carrying case and other adaptations to increase portability. After use it displays a "Thank you" message, designed to show encourage civilian rescuers by showing appreciation for their efforts.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2020

Defibrillator
EMS-1052 cardiolifeEMS

The EMS-1052 is a defibrillator that restores the heart to a normal rhythm by delivering an electrical shock when the heart has arrested and lost the ability to pump blood properly. The EMS-1052 was developed in response to the demand from emergency medical services for a "full-featured, lightweight, compact defibrillator" and incorporates the same functionality and features as the defibrillators used in hospitals, including a recording function for printing ECG recordings. The defibrillator has been designed to be robust and durable enough to withstand the harsh conditions at the scene of an accident. Much thought has been given to details such as the shape of the front panel, handle and control panel to improve the visibility of the display and overall usability, with the aim of reducing the burden on medical staff at the scene of an emergency.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2020

Medical Telemetry System
WEP-1000 series (WEP-1400/1450)

WEP-1400/1500 is a next generation central monitor that receives biometric data from transmitters attached to multiple patients, and displays it on a single screen, contributing to medical safety and the provision of high-quality nursing care by enabling medical staff at a nurses station to monitor the condition of multiple patients simultaneously and check patient data from anywhere in the facility. The main unit is integrated into a flat panel display, allowing it to be flexibly mounted on a wall or other upright location as required. In addition to improved visibility of the display, the monitor's user-friendly operation allows the screen layout, number of beds displayed and the level of importance to be easily changed. The display surface is flat and specially treated to facilitate proper cleaning and reduce the risk of infection. The external design image is shared with our CSM-1000 series of bedside monitors to express the unified design identity of our monitor line-up.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2019

Mechanical ventilator
NKV-330

The NKV-330 is a mechanical ventilator that provides support for clinical practice is a wide range of settings from ER to ICU to emergency transport and rehabilitation. With a variety of ventilation modes and the addition of SpO2 and CO2 monitoring to enable healthcare professionals to identify changes in the patient's condition immediately, as well as a diagnostic support function using review data, the ventilator contributes to safe ventilation management and improved patient outcomes. The main unit of the ventilator can be detached from the cart with a single action and hung on a hook or rail, so it can be moved easily and provide uninterrupted ventilation support wherever the patient is moved. The dedicated cart can hold various accessories in its compact and easy to use storage basket, contributing to effective use of space in clinical settings where multiple devices have to be deployed alongside each other. The newly designed mask fits Japanese facial structures better, reducing skin trouble and air leaks caused by the fit of the mask, and providing a safer and more reassuring fit for the patient.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2019

Ultrasound imaging system
First Echo

First Echo generates ultrasound examination images within the ultrasound probe. The probe is then connected to a bedside monitor or dedicated tablet  to output the images through a USB connection. First Echo improves the efficiency of medical treatment with its easy to use input method and screen operation. At the same time, the improved clinical compatibility ensure the devices can be easily handled by a variety of users such as doctors and nurses. The innovative design emphasizes the novelty of Nihon Kohden's first ultrasound diagnostic imaging system. In particular, the new input method - a combined probe and remote control specifically designed for bedside use - enables the probe to be operated without looking and creates a new style of ultrasound examination. 

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2018

Patient Monitoring System
Life Scope G7, CSM-1700 Series

The design was based on the concept of "a monitor with an advanced, high-quality design that provides new value".
In the current medical field, bedside monitors are now required to have a variety of functions in addition to their traditional basic performance, such as configuring and adding measurement items as required, extensibility such as linking with external equipment such as anaesthesia machines, and a role in supporting procedures, treatments and surgeries. By making these advanced functions even easier to use and increasing the degree of freedom of installation with a simplified configuration, the new generation of biometric monitors will improve the installation of equipment in medical settings, further improve medical safety, and continue to provide new value in the future. The design was also intended to enhance the brand image of Nihon Kohden as a leading biometric monitoring company in Japan, by emphasizing its advanced features and cutting edge technology.
In particular, the ultra-thin alarm indicator with its silver frame is the latest evolution of the alarm indicator, which Nihon Kohden was the first in the world to attach to a vital signs monitor, and provides a distinctive visual identity to the product.

reddot design award 2018

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2017

Telemetry type electroencephalograph
EEG headset AE-120A

This product is a device that enables simple and rapid EEG measurement in Emergency Room (ER) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) settings. The product uses EEG disposable electrodes that do not require pre-processing, and EEG can be measured simply by placing the headset body over the patient's head. EEG data can also be transmitted and stored on an EEG monitor using a wireless (Bluetooth) connection. Even medical professionals unfamiliar with EEG measurement can easily and quickly measure EEG with this headset, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment, leading to improved patient survival rates and better recovery prognosis. Based on our design philosophy of "Contributing to human happiness through the design of medical equipment", we have carefully selected the functions and elements required to identify disorders of consciousness and made the headset compact and wirelessly connected, aiming to create a device that enables fast and easy EEG measurement in ER and ICU sites.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2016

Semi-Automatic External Defibrillator
TEC-2603 cardiolifeS

This product was designed specifically for use by emergency response personnel in Japan. The design concept was to create "a defibrillator specifically designed for Japanese paramedics". Based on user interviews, the design has been optimized for every step of the sequence of events occuring during a rescue, from storage inside the ambulance to treatment at the emergency scene. The design has been adapted to meet the needs of a diverse range of emergency situations. As well as the functionality inherited from previous products, the design also features a highly durable carrying bag made of semi-hard fabric and a one-step installation function enabling the defibrillator to be set at the optimum angle for use on the ground. This versatile and fully featured defibrillator supports the rapid treatment by emergency workers of injury victims in situations where every second counts and also contributes to improving the rehabilition rate of the rescued patients.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2015

Ambulatory ECG Scanner System
DSC-5000series

The product provides a comprehensive assessment of cardiac function, blood pressure and sleep apnoea disorders. In addition to this, it is to realise the analysis of long-recorded data for seven consecutive days. It supports the detection of infrequent diseases. The overview screen extracts the important information from a huge amount of data - 700 000 beats worth of cardiac function data recorded over seven days. The information is then consolidated and displayed on a single screen for efficient editing. The system also has a multifunctional specification to cover long periods of data and a simple, error-proof design to make it easy for technicians to read the data. The design makes it easy to see waveforms, numerical values and other elements necessary to diagnose arrythmias. The systems supports technicians in quickly editing data and doctors in making accurate judgement of the patient condition. This saves time and reduces the burden on both patients and medical staff, and contributes to improving patient quality of life.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2014

Handy Receiver
Palm View ZT-210P

The Handy Receiver is a device that automatically receives radio signals from a transmitter simply by placing the receiver near the transmitter worn by the patient and displays the patient's vital sign data (ECG, heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood oxygen saturation, etc.) as numerical values and waveforms on a screen together with technical information such as the electrode attachment status. The receiver has been designed to eliminate unnecessary functions and operations and to focus on the function of easily and reliably checking the signals from the transmitter with the minimum number of operations. The aim was also to make the receiver easy to use without the need for a manual. For this reason, the overall design is as compact, light and simple in shape and colours as possible, and the keys are displayed with graphic symbols for intuitive operation. The screen display is also simple and easy to read, with a large display and easy-to-understand messages that show only the necessary information. Medical staff can check the patient's biometric information on the spot, for example in the patient's room, by carrying this product with them. It can also be used in other various situations, such as during patient transport and rehabilitation, supporting medical safety and reducing the workload of medical staff and the burden on patients.

KIDS DESIGN AWARD 2014

Child ECG electrode series

This is a series of electrodes for measuring the ECG of young children, consisting of chest electrodes and fast-clip limb electrodes designed for young patients to prevent them from becoming anxious or stressed during the examination. The chest electrodes are supplied in 6 colours to match the colors of the ecg leads, with a design motif featuring an animal that children will be familiar with. 
Also, the fast clip limb electrodes are designed in a size that fits a child's body and have a warm and friendly design of a ladybird on a leaf in the colour of the ecg lead. The designs use shapes and colours familiar to children to help them feel less anxious during an ECG examination. The designs were chosen through a questionnaire process, to give weight to the childrens' point of view. The child electrodes were designed with equal emphasis on functionality and appearance and contribute to accurate and stable ECG measurement by enabling children to feel relaxed during ECG examinations.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2013

Cardiac Stimulator
SEC-5104

The cardiac stimulator provides electrical stimulation during cardiac catheter examination for diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias. The stimulator is connected to a catheter inserted into the patient's heart, and captures the electrical activity of the inside of the heart by applying an electric shock, contributing to more accurate diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmia. The stimulator can also be used as a PSA (pacing system analyzer) when a pacemaker is implanted. Because this is a highly specialized device, it was designed with the design concept of being "a professional tool".  As well as redesigning the data entry process so that the examiner can get on with the exam in the limited time available, the weight of the stimulator was also reduced, to make it easier to use and to improve the installation environment. In these and other ways, the stimulator was designed to be a 'tool', rather than a 'device', that could be used as easily as the user's hands and feet.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2013

Diagnostic Information System
PrimeVitaPlus PRM-4000

The PRM-4000 diagnostic information systems is a system designed to improve the efficiency of laboratory operations and enhance the quality and safety of healthcare. The system centrally manages test data and patient information entered from each department in the hospital, enabling seamless and rapid testing. In addition, the data can be accessed from any terminal in the hospital, enabling information to be used anywhere at any time. The system also supports the standardisation of medical data and can be used for regional and inter-facility collaboration. The system is designed to unify complex systems and provide multiple functions in a simple and error-free manner. While accommodating a variety of display sizes in hospitals, it provides centralised management of test information, ensures immediacy of data, enables the use of complex and time-series data, and has an easy-to-read layout that allows side-by-side comparison of test data. In addition, the system's soft colours and icons are easy on the eyes, even with prolonged use, and ensure visibility in environments of varying brightness, reducing the physical strain on the operator. Together these features enable the system to make a significant contribution to reducing the burden on healthcare professionals. 

KIDS DESIGN AWARD 2011

Rubber chest electrodes for children

This product was developed to help young patients undergo examinations without feeling anxious or nervous. The rubber suction cups incorporate familiar animal characters and bright colours to help ease children's feelings of anxiety during the examination. In addition, the electrodes have been designed in a smaller size so that they don't interfere with each other when used to measure the ECG of infants with small bodies. In addition, to make things easier for the operator performing the examination, a tall and wide shape was chosen for the electrodes, to make them easy to pick up and squeeze. These electrodes for children have been designed to soften the strong mechanical image of ECG examinations and contribute to accurate measurement of resting ECG by allowing child patients to feel relaxed during the examination.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2009

AED-2100 and related products

Based on our design philosophy of "Contributing to human happiness through the design of medical equipment", the AED-2100 was developed with the aim of combining high functionality with simplicity and thoroughly eliminating the causes of misuse. We have also combined all of our technologies to make the AED-2100 "simple and easy to use" so that anyone can use it without hesitation, even in a time-sensitive emergency.  In addition to the AED-2100, we have also developed a wide range of acessories in response to user requests, including a training unit to teach users how to use the AED, storage cases for different installation locations, carrying bags and dustproof and waterproof cases to store and transport the AED, and signs to clearly indicate the presence of an AED system, all in the standardized orange image color used for Nihon Kohden AEDs.