Ruxin Li
Contact information
Thesis title
Redesigning medical devices for reusability through a human-centred approach
Research overview
The wide application of single-use devices (SUDs) has significantly mitigated infection risks in healthcare. However, it also brings about substantial plastic waste and significant environmental concerns. To address this, the World Health Organization (WHO) prioritises transitioning toward reusable medical devices (RMDs) to minimise healthcare waste when safe and viable.
A critical barrier to reusability is the potential for human error during reprocessing, the multi-step cleaning and disinfection process required between uses. Current research has explored key design features and human factors for reprocessing. However, design research is limited to translate these findings into actionable redesign methods. There is also a lack of tool to evaluate the ease of reprocessing. Addressing the gaps is essential for improving the safety and reusability of RMD.
This research aims to implement a human-centred redesign approach that integrates failure mode analysis and human factors to support the sustainability and circularity of medical devices to improve their reusability. The research also seeks to bridge the gap between established requirements/knowledge and actual design practice by measuring reprocessing difficulty.
Supervisors
Qualifications
Master of Industrial Engineering (with Distinction), The University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Design, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University