Nordic Neuro Lab

Product:

fMRI hardware

Nordic Neuro Lab has been providing products and solutions that define the field of functional MR imaging for over 20 years. Pivot contributed with a short preliminary project in their development of a hardware and software solution for clinical fMRI. The aim of the project was to establish a design language and put out some ideas for future development of the system. The system is specifically designed to fit within the workflow of your hospital’s daily routine. It makes the process of pre-surgical mapping more simple, efficient and reproducible.

We wanted to create a design that stands over time as visually appealing, durable and trustworthy. For the parts that are handled by the user, we are using a shape that is similar to the super ellipse. The shapes are friendly, yet  strict and controlled. The system consists of a set of hardware components: Headphones, audio power supply, power supply charger and hardware stack.

A major challenge for the headphones was the limited space around the head due to the surrounding MRI. We proposed a swivel mechanism that is flush with the ear-bell. The general shape has smooth low profile corners. We included a LED to communicate the noise canceling function.

The front side of the audio power supply has flexible buttons that are integrated in the same part as the housing, making the housing water and dust proof. The LEDs are also shine-through and inside the shell, making it hygienic and robust. For intuitive use, the buttons are large and have distinct outline shapes with embossed symbols.

The power supply charger has a minimalistic design with indicators for charge status and a rubberized and slightly conical socket so that things literally fall into place by themselves. LED lights are integrated in the hardware stack front. Here too, conical indentations on the corners helps for easy stacking and aligning. On the top cover, the circuit board is mounted. Regarding the lower tray, it is a standardized part that can be used for other units. The idea is that future units can fit into the stacking and size system. The hardware Stack mixer has shine-through LEDs that indicate the slider levels.