Every BardoMed project began with a deep dive into the needs of both patients and therapists, ensuring that empathy guided each design decision. We conducted extensive interviews, surveys, and observational research with physiotherapists (including those with disabilities) to understand the practical challenges in rehabilitation. For example, when developing the CarePump pressotherapy device, our team learned that visually impaired therapists often face difficulty operating standard equipment. In response, we designed the CarePump’s interface with special tactile markings and integrated voice prompts so that blind or low-vision users can operate the machine independently.
Insights from medical experts were also crucial – the CarePump Expert8 was developed in close cooperation with the Polish Lymphological Society, whose specialists provided input on therapy efficacy and safety. By involving end-users and domain experts from the start, we ensured that ergonomics, accessibility, and user comfort drove the design. Iterative prototyping and user testing were key: early models of devices were placed in the hands of real physiotherapists and patients, and their feedback shaped everything from the angle of a handle to the height of a display. This human-centered, inclusive design process became a hallmark of our collaboration, reinforcing the principle that truly innovative healthcare solutions begin with understanding the people who use them.
Husarska’s design team worked hand-in-hand with BardoMed’s engineers to create a cohesive family of rehabilitation products tailored to different therapy needs. The flagship CarePump Expert8 – a high-end lymphatic drainage device (pressotherapy) – was designed to be as clinically powerful as it is user-friendly. We gave Expert8 a sleek, modern form housing an intelligent system that allows therapists to finely adjust pressure gradients and treatment algorithms for each patient’s needs. Despite its advanced capabilities, the device’s interface remains straightforward: a clear display, intuitive controls, and multi-sensory feedback ensure that operation is simple for all clinicians. We extended this innovation into the CarePump Move8, a portable version of the device that brings professional lymphatic therapy beyond the clinic. Roughly the size of a small briefcase, the Move8 unit delivers similar functionality to larger stationary models, enabling athletes to recover after workouts, mobile physiotherapists to treat clients on-site, and even patients at home to manage their rehabilitation independently.
Another key outcome of our collaboration is CarePump Shockwave Air, a next-generation shockwave therapy device for musculoskeletal treatment. Husarska focused on redesigning the handheld applicator – the tool a therapist holds and moves during treatments – to maximize comfort and ease of use. Through background research and design thinking workshops, we identified pain points with existing shockwave equipment, like hand strain and cumbersome controls. Our team then iteratively developed a new applicator with an ergonomic silhouette and weight balance that reduces fatigue. We added a soft-touch rubberized coating to ensure a firm, non-slip grip, and we relocated controls directly onto the handpiece for thumb-tip operation. Now therapists can adjust intensity or pause treatment via buttons on the applicator itself, without breaking contact or posture. A ring of LED lights around the device provides instant visual feedback on treatment status, which, combined with a quiet pneumatic system, helps clinicians stay attuned to both the machine and patient. Importantly, we involved actual physiotherapists throughout development – from concept sketches to 3D-printed mockups – consulting them at every step and refining the design based on their input. The result is a shockwave therapy tool that feels like a natural extension of the therapist’s hand.
To bring these innovations to life for a wider audience, our sister company Panopticon Films produced a full suite of visual media content showcasing BardoMed’s products in action.
In an industry where seeing is believing, we knew that high-quality photos and videos would be essential to demonstrate both the technology and its human impact. Panopticon’s crew planned and executed an extensive photoshoot and video session at our #creativespace studio, which we outfitted to mimic real rehabilitation environments.
The video captures not only the device features but also the expressions of relief and confidence on users’ faces, underlining the emotional benefits of empathetic design. In parallel, we conducted professional photography sessions for both marketing and Red Dot Awards submission use.
We also created crisp product stills and 3D renderings and displacement animation. Panopticon’s team then handled all post-production, from dynamic editing of the promo video to retouching of photos for clarity and consistency. The resulting visual assets form a compelling narrative: BardoMed’s devices are shown as innovative yet humanized tools that improve rehabilitation outcomes. By combining Husarska’s design expertise with Panopticon’s storytelling prowess, we ensured that the value of these products is understood not just intellectually, but emotionally.
BardoMed’s newly designed product line has begun to attract recognition in the medical and design communities. The CarePump Expert8 in particular stands out as one of the first pressotherapy devices designed with full accessibility for blind operators, a feature that earned praise from physiotherapy experts and advocacy groups. The device’s development in partnership with the Polish Lymphological Society is itself a mark of distinction. Internally, the innovation embodied in CarePump Expert8 and Move8 was strong enough to be recognized at international design awards, including the prestigious Red Dot Award for CarePump device.
By addressing every facet of product development – from research and ergonomic engineering to branding and visual storytelling – we helped BardoMed build more than just new devices. The inclusive features we integrated (like interfaces usable by the visually impaired and portable formats for on-the-go therapy) demonstrate how compassion and creativity go hand in hand to break barriers in rehabilitation.
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