The Embrace Heart Stabilizer assists surgeons in positioning the heart and stabilizing the coronary artery during “beating-heart” coronary bypass surgery, according to the design team. It also serves as a stable frame for mounting other instruments during this life-saving procedure. A specially designed flexible “arm” is attached to the retractor frame and a contoured “foot” is placed against the heart to hold the epicardium parallel to the coronary artery. The arm becomes mechanically rigid in order to limit the movement of the beating heart to within one millimeter. This stabilization allows surgeons to bypass the blocked artery without resorting to the traditional method of stopping the heart and employing a heart/lung machine.

“HLB collaborated with Ethicon CardioVations to develop a stabilizer that is intuitive and non-intrusive for this type of surgery,” explained Charles Keane, Senior Vice President at HLB. “HLB provided Human Factors analysis of the revascularization process, performed observational research to understand high-value features and benefits, and developed configurations. The result is an extremely low-profile, highly flexible stabilizer that provides visual and tactile feedback and a greater field of access without damaging tissue at the anastomotic site.”

Comments from IDEA judges on the Embrace device included the following: “It is an example of innovation in function. Design put to good use to save lives,” said Eric Chan, IDSA, President, ECCO Design.

The iRobot Roomba Discovery is the newest generation of the home robotic vacuum that technology-timid consumers can both relate to and afford, according to the designers. This automatic floorvac incorporates cutting-edge robotic advancements in new intelligent features, allowing Roomba to keep the floors in the home cleaner than ever before.

“HLB collaborated with iRobot to provide industrial design solutions that enhance functionality, including a universal control layout and wrap-around bumper,” said Mark Dziersk, Senior Vice President of Design at HLB. “Simplicity is incorporated into every feature and control. Discovery's advanced intelligence is ironically what makes users feel at ease about it - and it requires absolutely no programming.”

According to iRobot, other key new design features of this generation of Roomba include: Dirt Detect™, which focuses on concentrated areas of dirt as fine as ground pepper; a self-charging Home Base™ docking station where Roomba automatically returns to after cleaning (charges in just three hours, compared to 12 hours before); an Advanced Power System that allows cleaning for up to two hours; One-button “Clean” Mode which projects time to clean floors; Stasis Sensors which detect when Roomba is stuck and help it escape; a three-times Larger Dustbin for increased cleaning capacity; a Remote Control enabling users to direct Roomba where to clean first and many other features.

According to IDSA, a jury of 17 world-renowned designers and critics spent several days previewing more than 1400 entries online and two-and-a-half days of face-to-face, intense debate on which products to bestow the coveted IDEA, one of the world's most prestigious design awards. Thirty-eight entries received the Gold award, 59 Silver and 51 Bronze. Judging criteria for each entry focused on five areas, including design innovation, benefit to the user, benefit to the client/business, ecological responsibility, and appropriate aesthetics and appeal.

All IDEA winners will be honored at a black tie ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, August 27, the final day of the 2005 IDSA National Conference & Design Gallery. Winning products will also be featured on the IDSA Web site, www.idsa.org, beginning June 24, 2005.