Karten Design

Karten Design (K:D) is a product design and innovation consultancy focused exclusively on medical devices and digital health solutions. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare product development, the firm partners with medical device manufacturers, digital health companies, and healthcare startups to design products that span neuromodulation systems, catheter delivery devices, respiratory equipment, and wearable health technologies.

The firm offers integrated capabilities including design research, industrial design, mechanical engineering, digital UX/UI design, and brand identity development. K:D maintains deep relationships with hospitals, clinicians, and academic medical centers to inform their design process, working with institutions like Cedars-Sinai, Johns Hopkins, USC, and UCLA. Their approach emphasizes understanding clinical workflows and patient experiences to drive product adoption.

Notable projects include the Axonics Neuromodulation System, which features patient remotes, mobile charging devices, clinician programmers, and patient apps. The firm has worked with major medical device companies including Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Baxter, and Biotronik, earning recognition from Cooper Hewitt, IDSA, and Fast Company for their healthcare design work.

Consider Karten Design when seeking a consultancy that understands the complete medical product ecosystem from clinical workflows to regulatory requirements to commercial success. Their track record helping startups secure funding and achieve acquisitions through strategic design may be particularly valuable for early-stage companies.

Expect a research-driven process that leverages their clinical network to validate design decisions. Their mechanical engineering capabilities suggest they can take products through to manufacturing-ready specifications, not just concept designs.

Karten Design works exclusively in healthcare, with particular depth in medical devices across neuromodulation, catheter delivery systems, respiratory equipment, hearing devices, and digital health hardware. Their healthcare expertise extends to understanding clinical workflows across specialties, designing for both patient and clinician users, and navigating the adoption challenges specific to medical products. The firm maintains advisory relationships with hospital innovation committees and academic medical centers including Cedars-Sinai, Johns Hopkins, USC, and UCLA, providing access to clinical expertise across medical specialties for research and validation.

Medical device manufacturers or digital health companies developing hardware products requiring industrial design and mechanical engineering expertise. Companies seeking design partners who understand clinical adoption challenges and can access physicians and healthcare systems for user research. Startups preparing for funding rounds or acquisition where design quality impacts valuation.