TAGA is proud to announce that two projects developed by the company have received the 2026 Red Dot Design Award.

The first winning project is Nanox.ARC X, an advanced digital imaging system developed for Nanox. The product was recognized for its innovative design, user experience, and integration of complex technology into an accessible and intuitive medical platform.

The second winning project is Vortex Imaging, a next-generation medical imaging solution designed to support healthcare professionals with improved usability and a clear, efficient interface.

These two new awards continue TAGA’s long-standing involvement in the development of medical and healthcare technologies, and reflect the company’s multidisciplinary approach that combines industrial design, UX/UI, engineering, and product strategy.

The Red Dot Design Award is considered one of the leading international awards in the field of product design, recognizing outstanding innovation and design excellence.

With these latest recognitions, TAGA continues to expand its portfolio of award-winning products developed for leading technology and medical companies worldwide.

Spark Labs is a joint venture founded by TAGA, Industrial Design & Product Development Ltd, strategic consulting firm Shaldor, and entrepreneur Dr. Shimon Eckhouse. The accelerator was created in collaboration with the Israel Innovation Authority to help Israeli industrial companies develop new products with global market potential.

Spark Labs focuses on manufacturing-oriented companies that want to create breakthrough products, improve existing product lines, or explore new growth opportunities. The program supports companies through every stage of development, from identifying opportunities and generating ideas, through proof of concept and engineering, to manufacturing, commercialization, and market launch.

By combining TAGA’s product development capabilities with Shaldor’s strategic expertise and Dr. Eckhouse’s entrepreneurial experience, Spark Labs provides companies with a unique end-to-end innovation framework.

The accelerator offers support in product strategy and market analysis, industrial design and UX/UI, mechanical, electronic, software, and robotics engineering, prototyping and proof of concept, business models, commercialization and funding plans, as well as preparation for manufacturing and global market entry.

Spark Labs is particularly active in fields such as medical devices, industrial systems, consumer products, robotics, and advanced technologies, with the goal of helping Israeli companies turn promising ideas into successful products.

Through Spark Labs, TAGA expands its role beyond product development and into long-term innovation leadership, helping companies move from concept to production with the support of expert teams and Israel Innovation Authority funding.

In a world where technology is advancing at a dizzying pace and awareness of the environment and human needs is ever-increasing, the field of medical design is not lagging behind. The recent years have unveiled fascinating trends in medical industrial design, driven by a confluence of factors including technological innovation, environmental concerns, and a heightened focus on patient-centric care. This article explores these trends, providing examples to illustrate the direction in which medical design is headed.

Human-Centered Design

At the core of recent advances in medical design is the philosophy of human-centered design. This approach prioritizes the needs, limitations, and behaviors of end-users – both patients and healthcare providers – in the design process. For instance, the development of ergonomic surgical tools that reduce fatigue during long operations demonstrates a commitment to understanding and addressing the physical demands placed on surgeons.

Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Design

Sustainability has emerged as a critical consideration in medical design. Manufacturers are increasingly using biodegradable materials and designing products for a circular economy. An example is the use of PLA (Polylactic Acid), a biodegradable thermoplastic derived from renewable resources like corn starch, in disposable medical devices. This shift not only addresses environmental concerns but also responds to the growing consumer demand for green products.

Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI and ML are revolutionizing medical industrial design, offering predictive analytics that can improve patient outcomes. Wearable devices that monitor health metrics and use AI to predict medical events before they occur are a prime example. The Apple Watch, with its ability to detect irregular heart rhythms and perform an ECG, exemplifies how AI integration in medical devices can enhance preventive care.

Minimalist Design and Cleanable Surfaces

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of cleanliness in medical environments, leading to a trend toward minimalist design and easy-to-clean surfaces. Medical devices and environments are being designed with smooth surfaces, fewer crevices, and materials that can withstand rigorous cleaning protocols. The design of the Dyson Airblade hand dryer, which uses HEPA filters to remove 99.97% of particles from the air before it touches hands, reflects a broader trend towards designing medical products and environments that support infection control.

Wearables and Remote Monitoring

The rise of telehealth has been accompanied by an increased emphasis on wearables and remote monitoring devices. These technologies enable continuous care and monitoring without the need for physical presence in a medical facility. The development of glucose monitoring devices that can transmit data directly to smartphones is an example of how design innovations are making remote health management more accessible and efficient.

Biophilic Design

Biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements into environments to promote well-being, is gaining traction in medical facility design. Hospitals and clinics are integrating indoor gardens, natural lighting, and other elements that mimic the natural world to create more healing and restorative environments. The Maggie’s Centre in Oldham, designed by dRMM Architects, is noted for its use of wood and natural light to create a calming atmosphere for cancer patients.

Conclusion

The trends in medical industrial design reflect a broader shift towards more sustainable, patient-centered, and technologically advanced healthcare solutions. These trends are not only shaping the future of medical devices and environments but also have the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and environmental sustainability. As technology continues to evolve and our understanding of human and environmental health deepens, the field of medical design is poised for even more groundbreaking innovations in the years to come.

Pushing the Boundaries of Innovation in 3D Printing

The field of 3D printing has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, evolving from a niche prototyping tool into a disruptive force in industries such as healthcare, aerospace, automotive, and even fashion. Today, cutting-edge innovations in 3D printing are pushing the boundaries of manufacturing, enabling the creation of complex structures, reducing production times, and opening up new possibilities for sustainable practices. Below, we explore some of the most exciting advancements in 3D printing technology and their real-world applications.

Key Innovations in 3D Printing

1. Multi-Material and Multi-Color Printing

One of the most significant advancements in 3D printing is the development of multi-material and multi-color printing technologies. Traditional 3D printers were limited to a single material, but newer machines can now seamlessly print objects using multiple materials, including rigid and flexible components, conductive elements, and even biodegradable plastics.

For instance, companies like Stratasys have introduced multi-material printers capable of creating complex prototypes that integrate both hard and soft materials in a single print job. This innovation is crucial in industries like medical devices, where custom prosthetics and implants can be printed to match the unique needs of individual patients.

2. AI-Driven Generative Design

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into 3D printing processes is revolutionizing design. Generative design uses algorithms to optimize the shape, structure, and material usage of objects, resulting in designs that are lighter, stronger, and more efficient than traditional counterparts.

Companies like Autodesk and Siemens are incorporating generative design tools into their software, allowing engineers to create highly optimized components for industries such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing. For example, General Motors has used AI-driven generative design to develop lightweight car parts that reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency.

3. Advancements in Metal 3D Printing

Metal 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, has seen significant improvements in recent years. New metal alloys and powder-based techniques allow manufacturers to produce parts with complex geometries that would be impossible to achieve through traditional machining.

Companies like Desktop Metal and EOS are leading the way in this field. The aerospace industry, in particular, has benefited from metal 3D printing, as it enables the production of lightweight, high-strength components that can withstand extreme conditions. For instance, NASA has used metal 3D printing to create rocket engine components that are lighter and more durable than traditionally manufactured parts.

4. Bioprinting: The Future of Healthcare

Perhaps one of the most groundbreaking innovations in 3D printing is bioprinting. This technology involves the use of bio-inks to create living tissues, organs, and even human skin. Researchers are making significant strides toward creating fully functional organs for transplantation.

For example, Organovo, a bioprinting company, has developed liver tissue for drug testing purposes. Meanwhile, scientists at Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine are working on printing human organs using a patient’s own cells, reducing the risk of transplant rejection.

5. Sustainable 3D Printing

Sustainability is becoming a core focus in 3D printing innovations. Companies are developing recycled materials and bio-based filaments to reduce environmental impact. Additionally, on-demand manufacturing through 3D printing reduces waste by producing only what is needed, where it is needed.

Startups like Reflow are turning plastic waste into high-quality 3D printing filament, while Carbon3D is exploring ways to create biodegradable resins for industrial applications. This shift toward sustainability is helping industries reduce their carbon footprint and create more environmentally friendly supply chains.

Industry-Specific Applications of 3D Printing

Aerospace and Automotive

In the aerospace industry, companies like Airbus and Boeing are using 3D printing to produce lightweight parts that reduce fuel consumption. For example, Airbus’s A350 XWB aircraft features over 1,000 3D-printed components, reducing both weight and production costs.

In the automotive sector, manufacturers like Porsche and Bugatti are using 3D printing to create custom parts and prototypes. Porsche, for instance, has begun producing metal 3D-printed pistons for high-performance engines, which are lighter and more efficient than traditionally manufactured ones.

Healthcare

The healthcare industry is perhaps one of the most exciting areas for 3D printing innovation. From custom prosthetics and orthopedic implants to personalized surgical tools, 3D printing is improving patient outcomes and reducing costs.

One notable example is the use of 3D-printed hearing aids. Today, more than 90% of hearing aids are made using 3D printing technology, allowing manufacturers to create devices that perfectly fit each patient’s unique ear shape.

Fashion and Consumer Goods

In the world of fashion, designers are using 3D printing to create customized clothing, accessories, and footwear. Companies like Adidas have embraced the technology to produce 3D-printed midsoles for their sneakers, offering improved comfort and performance.

Additionally, luxury brands are using 3D printing to create intricate jewelry designs that would be impossible to achieve using traditional manufacturing methods.

Construction and Architecture

3D printing is making waves in the construction industry with the advent of large-scale 3D printers capable of printing entire buildings. Companies like ICON and Winsun have developed technologies to print homes in a matter of days, reducing construction time and costs.

These innovations are particularly valuable in addressing housing shortages and providing disaster relief solutions, as 3D-printed homes can be built quickly and affordably in remote areas.

The Future of 3D Printing

Looking ahead, 3D printing will continue to disrupt traditional manufacturing processes. Key trends shaping the future of this technology include:

• Distributed Manufacturing: Decentralized production will enable companies to produce parts closer to the point of use, reducing transportation costs and emissions.
• Digital Supply Chains: Digital files for 3D-printed parts can be shared and printed on-demand, minimizing the need for large inventories.
• Mass Customization: Consumers will increasingly demand personalized products, and 3D printing will make mass customization more feasible.

Conclusion

Innovation in 3D printing is reshaping industries and redefining what is possible in manufacturing. From multi-material printing and generative design to bioprinting and sustainable practices, the advancements in this field are driving a new era of creativity, efficiency, and sustainability. As 3D printing continues to evolve, its potential to revolutionize industries and improve lives is limitless.

Taga is an experienced product design and development company, with a portfolio of more than 1,200 products, most of which have successfully completed all development stages and are now available on the market. A significant portion of the products designed and developed by Taga are classified as medical products. In this article, we aim to delve into and explain how we perceive the term “design concept” in the context of medical equipment and, more specifically, what the process of formulating a design concept for a medical product entails.

The Process

Every medical product begins with a characterization process – a focused and comprehensive Statement of Work (SOW) document. This document describes the product, its purpose, the technologies it utilizes, its advantages over competitors, the target users, the work environment in which it will operate, usage scenarios, a detailed description of all its components, the current status of the product, and the project’s goal (e.g., a proof-of-concept has been completed, and the client now wants to proceed to a short production series for clinical trials). The document reflects all the functional, design, engineering, and regulatory requirements from the client to the design company, including timelines and budget.

Once the SOW is agreed upon, the project kickoff and work process begin. Typically, the first stage is concept development.

The concept development process starts with a multidisciplinary brainstorming session. Each team member contributes their perspective and proposes potential solutions to the issue at hand. Such a team may include designers, engineers, and managers. The goal is to generate a wide range of ideas without judgment at this stage. Afterward, each participant develops one or two concepts individually. A few days later, the team reconvenes to review the presented concepts, eliminate less viable ideas, and refine the more promising ones. This process is particularly complex in the field of medical equipment due to the multitude of constraints in this domain.

The Unique Nature of Medical Products

Medical products differ from other products in several unique aspects. Below are some examples:

1. Multiple Users: Medical products are often operated by multiple users – a doctor, a patient, and sometimes a nurse or technician. For example, a dermatological laser treatment system, including a cart and a handheld applicator, must be comfortable for the practitioner to use for several hours a day without causing wrist pain. Simultaneously, it must also be approachable and non-intimidating for the patient. Additionally, the system may require a service door for a technician to replace parts if necessary. Thus, the doctor, patient, and technician all become the product’s “customers,” each with different needs.
2. Adaptation to Complex Environments: Operating rooms or clinics are often packed with various types of equipment, with limited space, cable management challenges, and potential electromagnetic interference between systems, which poses a safety risk. Accessibility, mobility for transferring the product between operating rooms, and functionality under pressure in an environment full of screens, alarms, tools, blood, and people are critical. Sometimes, the product must interface with other hospital systems, such as a bed or operating table. In such cases, adapters must be developed to ensure compatibility with relevant equipment in the product’s work environment.
3. Regulatory Constraints: Medical standards, such as FDA or CE, ensure patient safety by requiring biocompatible materials for parts that come into contact with patients. In some cases, all equipment in an operating room must be covered for sterilization and hygiene purposes. Even using a touchscreen, which is trivial in most products, can cause cross-contamination issues, transferring infections from patient to patient. This requires careful material selection. For instance, in one project, the system we designed used acids that are hazardous to humans and damaging to equipment in case of accidental spillage. We had to use a special acid-resistant coating to prevent equipment damage.
4. Short Production Series: Since most medical equipment undergoes clinical trials, and because it is often expensive, the concept development process must consider production technologies and materials suitable for short production series (typically 10-50 units), at least during the clinical trial phase. This phase can take a long time. It often means that high-investment tooling methods, such as high-pressure injection molding, are not feasible until trials are successfully completed. Designers must come up with creative solutions for short-series production. Later, the product may need to be redesigned for mass production.

Functional, Ergonomic, and Design Concepts

We approach concept development according to the specific project’s requirements. For example:

• Functional/Mechanical Concepts: If the product has an unresolved functional or mechanical challenge, we start with mechanical concept development. This involves technical solutions like mechanisms, drive systems, and structure. Only after selecting the mechanical concept, building a prototype to prove feasibility, and testing it, do we move on to the design phase.
• Ergonomic Concepts: If the challenge is ergonomic, such as in a treatment handle or wearable product, we conduct anthropometric research and develop several ergonomic configurations during the concept phase. We create mockups (using 3D printing or other available methods) and test them with different users. Sometimes, ergonomic solutions require highly creative approaches, such as suspending a product from the ceiling or using complex articulated arms.
• Design Concepts: If the technology and functionality are already developed and resolved, and the focus is on the product’s appearance and housing design, we start with design concepts. We arrange components in different layouts and focus on form, styling, and materials. In such cases, we present several design options as visual representations from various angles, comparing the alternatives.

Conclusion

Developing concepts for medical products is a complex challenge that combines functionality, ergonomics, and design. It requires creativity in finding solutions, flexibility in building the work process, and meeting numerous constraints. At Taga, we believe that the success of a product depends on our ability to understand the needs of the client and users, integrate advanced technological solutions, and create a product that meets diverse, complex requirements at the highest level.

The end of 2021 is right around the corner, and it’s expected to look ahead to the near future of the medical devices industry. Specifically in the last couple of years, mainly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen changes, disruptions and  some advances in healthcare and life sciences product development, as we’ve never seen before.

So, after such a challenging time, what can developers, designers, and manufacturers of healthcare technologies look forward to, while the world is entering a new phase of recovery from a global pandemic? We collected some of the top changes, trends and opportunities in medical devices, which you should keep an eye on.

Managing global supply chain challenges

It’s not surprising that global supply chain shortages top the list. The covid has affected global shortage in nearly every industry –  raw materials, electronic components and finished goods. Forecasts say the backlog of demand is likely to take us through 2022 and into 2023. In addition, transportation of products around the globe has been slowing down significantly, mainly sea and air shipments.

In this environment, proactive supply chain solutions will be a top priority for medical device manufacturers. Planning around severely extended lead times, identifying replacement parts, even redesigning products to accommodate for supply availability—all of this requires better visibility and agility, and the suppliers that can provide this will be winning the game.

Thinking about the supply chain from the earliest moments, leveraging predictive analytics, and relying on the relationships with a global supply chain partner will be some of the most important decisions medical devices companies make this year.

The rise of Telemedicine

Telemedicine has been available for many years, however, in the last two years it exploded. The people’s need to stay at home during Covid 19 quarantine, the fear of going to hospitals, the constraints on flights and transportation in general are all encouraging the usage of telemedicine as a viable and effective method for patient’s medical care.

Healthcare institutions are using it more than ever before. During Covid 19 telemedicine helped to preserve personal protective equipment during a worldwide shortage, protect healthcare workers from being infected, and allowed the monitoring of patients’ chronic conditions without putting them at risk by attending medical settings

Home-use-devices

Like in Telemedicine, the stay-at-home trend encourages more and more companies to adapt technologies which were once found only in hospitals, labs and professional clinics, to the consumer market. This involves miniaturization of components, adopting different business models and changes in regulation, but the trend cannot be stopped, and is relevant mainly in aesthetic devices, diagnostics, and even therapy

One example for the telemedicine and home use-devices revolution is ultrasound diagnostics, a technology used mainly by physicians in hospitals and clinics : In the last 2 years PulseNmore, a company from Israel, has developed, together with Taga, at-home-use ultrasound device that allows pregnant women to perform an ultrasound scan on their fetuses using only their smartphones and send the results directly to their physician. The PulseNmore product has been launched recently and is highly successful among healthcare service providers and their patients.

Innovation in point-of-care diagnostic devices

Diagnostics at the point-of-care is booming as healthcare organizations wish to shorten the diagnostics process – instead of sending the patient to the hospital or taking a test sample and sending it to the lab for a few days, many diagnostic devices are targeting the physician’s  clinic or the nurses point-of-care and providing reliable results within minutes.

The pandemic emphasized how important this trend is.

One example is B-Matrix from Picodya, an award-winning lab-in-a-box for blood tests which was designed by Taga. B-Matrix can be positioned in every point-of-care, can handle multiple blood samples and test different indications, saving time and money for both the health institute and the patient.

The return of elective procedures

Elective surgeries can include cosmetic procedures like removing a mole or a wart. But they can also include more serious conditions like hernia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, elective surgeries were put on hold and with them, the demand for the medical equipment used in those procedures was stopped. Now those elective procedures are starting to recover, and many procedure-dependent companies are finding themselves in the spotlight again, for medical device manufacturers, these are very good news, meaning ramping back up to meet the rising demand.

On growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and IoT

According to a report by Grand View Research, the market for AI healthcare is expected to upsize from $10.4 billion in 2021 to $120.2 billion by 2028. A significant driver of the growth will come from medical technologies such as advanced diagnostics and robotic-assisted surgery. If you figure out a way to integrate advanced computing into your existing or planned products, you can find a great opportunity in these fields.

Naturally, with the AI technologies comes the increased need for cybersecurity in medical devices. The issue of cyber security has two sides that need to work with each other in harmony. First, the product development and manufacturing side—how the partner controls and protects the customer’s information. Then there’s the security of connected products against cyber threats when they’re in use out in the medical market. Healthcare companies will need to make sure that they’re working with partners who understand and are proactively prepared for the cybersecurity needs of the medical device industry.

No matter the medical device trends you’re focused on, the key to success will be to cultivate partnerships, smart outsourcing in the early design and development stages, manufacturing and support after your products goes out to the market—all of the above will add the expertise, capabilities and capacity to move faster and enter the market more competitively.

Taga was founded in 2002 as a design and engineering firm and over the years grew and added related services as well as new skills, methodologies and knowledge. After almost 20 years of activity we wanted to create a fresh corporate identity which represents better our believes and value proposition.

First, we asked ourselves WHY we do what we do. Why do we exist? We realized that what connects us to our work and to each other is that we just love to see how a product starts as a dream in someone’s mind and becomes a eventually a reality: manufactured and shipped to customers, used on a regular basis, solves a problem, answers a need. Moreover, we love to see how our customer’s dream product beats the competition, creates a disruption in its category or even changes people’s lives.

We figured out that in many cases Taga was a major vehicle in this process, helping our customers to fulfill their dreams and creating a real breakthrough in their market. Hence our new tag line: Dreams Taking Shape

Second, we wanted to explain HOW we fulfill these dreams.
We do that by taking an holistic approach, not just a designer’s point of view. We look at an idea in its inception and we try to see the end. We imagine the product in the customer hands, , we figure out the usage scenarios we see it on the production line, the cost, the dimensions, the weight, the logistics and the maintenance, we analyze all the risks involved with the product from the very early stages, always thinking what can go wrong, which issues should we solve and what advantages should we give the product in order to make it a winner. We combine technology with art, user experience with business, inspiration with reality. Our out-of-the-box thinking and thorough experience in wide range of aspects is how we make winning products

We tried to convey this message in our new branding. Our new logo has a more contemporary look and taking Taga from just designing and engineering products to a much rounded and comprehensive approach. Our red color was updated to a more modern orange-red, which represents our passion to design and the blue color was added to represent our realistic and cool approach to engineering and production of products.

Third, we want to describe in details WHAT we do: How we work, what exact services we provide and in which domains we excel. Our expertise in the medical market has put Taga in the forefront of the industry, providing physical and digital design services to the world’s top medical devices companies, as well as engineering and production services, and we wanted to convey that message. Our knowledge in consumer electronics and in professional equipment is another aspect we wanted to emphasize and the fact that the products we make are winners, both business wise as well as in design and innovation competitions.

Our new website presents 60 cases studies of projects which show in details how Taga work and the story behind the products, as well as more than 100 products that are shown as additional examples of our experience and scope. Our services are explained in details as well the 70 awards we won and customers we worked with

We are proud to launch our new website and our new corporate identity, which was built together with the branding agency 3 Bears

The Covid 19 has changed our lives in many ways, one of them is the increased usage of medical home-use devices.

We have numerous clients in the medical device field which shifted their efforts towards consumer devices, however taking part in designing and the development the PulseNmore product was extra inspiring. PulseNmore almost sounds like science fiction – an ultrasound device for home-use, which connects to the smartphone, and through a special app, the video footage is seen on your phone, while the app automatically sends it directly to the physician. Sounds pretty futuristic, isn’t it?

But it’s here and available for pregnant women all over the world, and Covid 19 even accelerated the product entry to the market, resulting in a large purchase of units by Calilit HMO, which provides the device to its patients who are at high-risk pregnancy in order to allow them to be examined regularly and frequently, without having to leave home.

During the Israeli Covid 19 quarantines, this was especially useful, allowing the pregnant patient to keep herself and her fetus safe and not be exposed to infection dangers in the hospital or at the doctor’s office, while still maintaining a regular routine of ultrasound examinations, the product is disposable, intended to be used by the pregnant woman until the birth.

The PulseNmore ultrasound system packs state-of-the-art componentry and smart design into a compact device. The device is ergonomically designed to work with almost any mobile phone, enables intuitive use, and does not require technological understanding. The guideline is “plug and play” – just dock your phone and get started, there is instruction guidance that accompanies the user throughout the use, and the special application automatically sends the image.

We can’t say we’re surprised by all the media and public attention this unforgettable design and truly innovative product is getting.

Want to read more about it? See PulseNmore project page