Master Thesis Usability Evaluation and Modernization Strategy for a Safety-Critical Medical Device User Interface

Leksell GammaPlan is Elekta’s treatment planning software for stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy using Leksell Gamma Knife. As the system has expanded over time, some interface elements have retained older technologies and design approaches. This thesis explores how to modernize its interface incrementally while preserving patient safety, regulatory compliance and the efficiency required by expert users.

The assignment

• Evaluate the existing interface using ISO 9241 dialogue principles and consistency analysis, and prioritize usability problems and improvement opportunities.
• Propose interface changes that offer substantial usability benefits with limited implementation effort and fit the existing technology stack.
• Develop a longer-term modernization concept that addresses workflow and architectural constraints.
• Explain recommendations in terms of usability and patient safety, including how they preserve efficient access to information for expert users.
• Create a reusable framework for modernizing safety-critical expert systems.
• Refine the research focus with the supervisors, potentially limiting the evaluation to a particular workflow or subsystem.

Who we are looking for

• Students with a background in human-computer interaction, interaction design, human factors engineering, cognitive science or user experience design.
• An interest in usability engineering, safety-critical systems, medical technology, product design and workflows for expert users.
• Previous knowledge of Gamma Knife treatment planning is not necessary.

What we offer

• Domain experts will introduce the clinical workflows, treatment planning concepts and relevant software architecture.
• Close collaboration with specialists in usability engineering, software development and clinical applications.
• An opportunity to develop modernization principles that may be applicable beyond the product studied.

Practical details

Location: Elekta’s Stockholm office. Planned start: early 2027. Supervisor: Felix Bayer, felix.bayer@elekta.com.