Leo Cancer Care engaged DCA to explore potential system layouts and visual design concepts for their Ruby system. With in-depth consideration of patient and therapist workflows, human factors and ergonomics, and visual brand language, the team developed an aspirational design for Ruby – an exciting addition to Leo Cancer Care’s groundbreaking range of patient positioning, imaging, and therapy products.

Named after Ruby Payne-Scott, an Australian pioneer in radiophysics and radio astronomy and the first female radio astronomer, the Ruby system is a complete upright cancer treatment solution: a real time, image guided photon radiotherapy system.

Integrating Leo Cancer Care’s upright patient positioning system (Eve), Ruby aims to improve access to radiotherapy and improve the effectiveness and patient experience of radiotherapy and is an exciting part of the next generation of cancer care. One of the major advantages of Ruby is its footprint. By rotating the patient and having a fixed treatment beam, there is no rotating gantry – this means it can be installed quickly and easily in existing treatment bunkers or it can be supplied fully shielded, potentially making costly, large concrete bunkers a thing of the past.

The DCA team focused on minimising the size and visual presence of the system whilst prioritising access and providing a comfortable and familiar aesthetic aligned with the Leo Cancer Care visual brand language developed by DCA previously.

Ruby’s visual design focuses on minimising the size and visual presence of the complex system, which includes a linear accelerator and cone beam CT imaging to support accurate treatment delivery. This was carefully balanced with prioritising easy access, for both therapist and patient, partly achieved through innovative arrangement of imaging equipment, while simultaneously providing a comfortable and familiar aesthetic. This design adopts pure and quietly confident forms, carrying an intrinsic logic. The patient facing surfaces softly curve, which, combined with refined lighting and textiles, offer reassurance through a homely familiarity. All of these aspects are embodied with awareness of the healthcare environment in which they are being installed.

Ruby has been awarded a GOOD DESIGN Award and an iF DESIGN AWARD. Stephen Towe, CEO of Leo Cancer Care commented “Following in the footsteps of our Marie and Eve systems, it’s a testament to the quality of work and collaboration that Ruby has also been recognised with these accolades. Thanks to DCA Design International for their support in the design phase for this innovative project. Another great achievement for our two businesses. Congratulations!”