The Objective

Verification and Validation (V&V) are the backbone of engineering excellence. Our HFE evaluation process is designed to prove that your device works as intended in the hands of the actual user. We move beyond "opinion-based" feedback and into "evidence-based" validation.

Key Considerations

  • Formative Evaluation (The Iterative Engine): We use early-stage formative studies to learn. These small-scale tests allow our designers to observe how users interact with prototypes, identifying friction points before the design is "frozen."
  • Summative Validation (The Regulatory Proof): The Summative study is your final exam for the FDA and Notified Bodies. Kapstone manages the entire protocol—from participant recruitment and simulated use environments to the final HFE validation report.
  • Root Cause Analysis: If a user makes a mistake during a study, we don't blame the user. We perform a technical root cause analysis to determine if the error was caused by the UI, the labeling, or the physical ergonomics, and we provide the engineering solution to fix it.

FAQ

When is a Summative Usability Study required by the FDA?

The FDA requires a Summative (Validation) Usability Study for any medical device where a use-error could result in serious harm to the patient or user. This study must be conducted with representative users performing "critical tasks" in a simulated use environment to prove the device interface is safe and effective.

 

Back to About Us

Ready to get to work?
If Kapstone sounds like the right fit for your business or you have further questions, please reach out to our team.

Get in Touch