How Simplicity Drives Better MedTech Design
- Shannon Lantzy
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
In medical technology, we often focus on what devices do—the clinical functions they perform, the outcomes they enable, the hardware and algorithms that drive them. But one factor that is just as critical—and often overlooked—is how easy they are to use.
This week on Inside MedTech Innovation, I spoke with Dennis Lenard, CEO of Creative Navy, about the role of simplicity in medical device interface design. Our conversation centered around a concept that has real consequences in healthcare environments: visual complexity.
Why Complexity Matters in MedTech
Medical devices don't operate in isolation. They are used in complex, high-pressure environments where clinicians are managing patients, communicating with teams, and processing large amounts of information—all at once.
In these settings, a device’s user interface isn't just about aesthetics. It's about cognitive load. Every button, menu, color choice, and information layout either supports the clinician’s ability to act quickly and accurately—or makes it harder.
Research across cognitive science, human factors engineering, and behavioral economics has consistently shown that increased complexity can lead to slower decision-making, higher error rates, and steeper learning curves. In the clinical environment, these delays and mistakes can have serious impacts on patient care.
Measuring Complexity: A Step Toward Better Design
Dennis shared how Creative Navy developed Compass, a tool that objectively measures visual complexity in device interfaces. By using computer vision and evidence-based criteria, Compass allows design teams to quantify complexity and make data-driven improvements.
This approach moves design decisions away from intuition and aesthetics toward measurable outcomes. It’s a shift from asking, "Does this look good?" to asking, "Is this easier and faster for a clinician to use under pressure?"
For MedTech manufacturers, tools like Compass represent a path to building devices that aren't just safe in theory—they are safe, efficient, and user-friendly in practice.
Simplicity Isn't About Minimalism
One important point we discussed: simplicity doesn't mean stripping out functionality. Medical devices need to be sophisticated enough to meet clinical needs.
Simplicity in this context means designing systems that make the right actions obvious. It means creating interfaces where information is organized logically, where priorities are clear, and where users don't have to think about the tool—they can focus on the patient.
In some cases, this might mean adding structure or guidance rather than removing features. The goal is not less capability—it’s better usability.
A Competitive Advantage in a Changing Landscape
There’s a strong business case for investing in simpler, more usable designs. Devices that are easier to learn and operate can:
Reduce training time and associated costs
Increase adoption rates in hospitals and clinical systems
Lower the risk of user error
Improve satisfaction scores among clinicians
In a competitive market where differentiation often comes down to user experience and outcomes, simplicity can be a strategic advantage. And as regulatory agencies increasingly emphasize human factors validation, having measurable evidence of usability improvements can also streamline approval pathways.
Final Thoughts
As MedTech continues to evolve, the bar for usability will rise. Devices that embrace simplicity—not at the expense of capability, but in support of better clinical workflows—will stand out.
Building better tools for healthcare means thinking not just about what they can do, but how easily they fit into the realities of care delivery.
It’s not about making things minimal. It’s about making them clear.
Listen to the full conversation with Dennis Lenard on Inside MedTech Innovation https://open.spotify.com/show/0idCTXcel0SvjHLalRoxIl?si=bed31e6a426d4fc0.
