Mast Group
16 place antibiotic disc dispenser accelerates diagnostic testing
Background
Mast Group is an independent world-class manufacturer of diagnostic products. Supplying consumable cartridges of antibiotic-impregnated discs for laboratory susceptibility testing was a growing market.
Mast Group has introduced devices that allow for controlled manual placement of up to six antibiotics on a bacterially primed agar surface. By comparing growth at each disc position, the efficacy of the drugs can be compared. Dispensing more discs reliably offers an opportunity to improve lab throughput and increase Mast Group's sales.
Lucid was asked to develop a new system:
Intuitive 16 place dispense.
Using existing paper cartridges.
Excellent comfort and ergonomics for repeated manual use.
Precision dispensing mechanism appropriate for laboratory testing.
Disc cartridges protected from moisture ingress when not in use.
Discovery
Lucid’s designers engaged with lab technicians, and Mast Group’s marketing and engineering teams, to learn from existing experiences and competitor products.
Working through the iteration of potential disc layouts we investigated the most effective combination to accelerate diagnosis and enable reliable mechanism development.
Design
Iterations of 3D CAD models, physical prototyping, user studies and test were used to develop, improve and validate dispense mechanisms and human factors.
Challenges overcome included significant tolerance and maintenance issues.
Delivery
Lucid engaged with manufacturing partners early in development, providing data for production and collaborating in reliably transitioning a complex mechanism into production.
Results
Usability
DiscMaster 16 delivers intuitive and reliable dispense with minimal force.
Brand impact
Lucid developed a consistent aesthetic to complement Mast Group’s 6 place dispenser and build brand identity.
Safety and reliability
Dispense is tested to surpass previous acceptance criteria.
Sustainability
Improved process efficiency reduces the carbon footprint of antibiotic testing.
Manufacturability
Unique processes have been developed at Lucid, enabling robust, low-volume medical device manufacture to stringent regulatory requirements.