April 8, 2022 — Elekta’s latest linear accelerator, Elekta Harmony, has won a 2022 Red Dot Award for product design. Harmony, which was granted CE mark and U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance in 2020 and 2021, is a system that perfectly balances productivity, precision and versatility, making it a solution for both mature and developing markets.
According to Red Dot, product submissions came from around 60 countries vying for the product design award. Only those products that impressed the judges with “their outstanding design quality” won a distinction.
In creating Elekta Harmony, engineers emphasized a simple, minimalist design that shifts the focus away from the machine and celebrates the company’s prioritization of the patient and user experience. Specific design elements include a smooth, streamlined appearance intended to evoke, within patients, a feeling of lightness and space that fosters calmness.
“As in our Elekta Unity system that in 2019 also won a Red Dot Design Award, significant effort went into developing a modern, seamless design for Elekta Harmony,” says Lionel Hadjadjeba, MD, President, Linac Solutions at Elekta. “Harmony incorporates continuous curved lines that visually suggest softness and calm. The system also features a lower treatment couch for initial patient positioning and subsequent up-and-down movement to ensure accommodation for even the smallest patients. In addition, user controls enable therapists to maintain a close physical and emotional engagement with the patient during important moments in the treatment process.”
Dr. Peter Zec, founder and CEO of Red Dot noted about the 2022 competition: “I have been particularly struck by the exceptional creativity shown by the award-winning products,” he says. “It is really impressive and praiseworthy that there are still designs out there that can surprise us with their form and functionality.”
The jury for the Red Dot Award: Product Design – a prize that dates back to the 1950s – comprised 48 judges from 23 countries in 2022. The jurors consider and assess each entry. The products do not compete with each other. Instead, they are assessed on a standalone basis. The Red Dot Design Award is among the world’s largest design competitions. In three disciplines, participants submit products, communication projects and brands, as well as prototypes and concepts. The distinction “Red Dot” is an internationally recognized seal of excellent design.
The Red Dot Award ceremony will take place in Essen, Germany on June 20.
For more information: https://findyourbalance.elekta.com/
*Elekta Harmony has CE mark and FDA 510(k) clearance. Not available in all markets.
August 09, 2024 
