Enschede, The Netherlands
Designed by Rowan van Doorn of IDpartners, the Pump-unit 2020 is part of Vycap’s range of laboratory equipment in the field of liquid biopsies and has the ability to identify and isolate cancer cells from blood samples, through single-cell analysis.
The project has been awarded a 2021 Good Design Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
This device is used in combination with a disposable microchip filter that can then be moved to the next device for further analysis.
The main driving force behind the redesign is an all-new pump and electronics package. The variable pressure pump is now controlled by a single rotary/push-button and has replaced the previously used manual adjustment valve.
This has made the operation more intuitive whilst also improving the controllability and repeatability of the filtration process.
The exterior design takes inspiration from modern medical devices and uses soft and hygienic styling to create a user-friendly and accommodating appearance.
To ensure that the device would withstand intensive laboratory use, the outer skin is made from metal and gives the pump unit a robust and solid feel.
This provides the operator with a sense of purposefulness and quality that would be hard to achieve with a lightweight plastic enclosure.
Project: VyCAP Pump Unit
Designers: Rowan van Doorn, IDpartners
Manufacturer: Vycap BV
