The Azurion Neuro Biplane system from Philips has just clinched the esteemed iF Design Gold Award 2025, and we caught up with Design Director Ivo Stuyfzand to uncover the secrets behind this transformative design.

Celebrating Innovation and Team Effort

Stuyfzand revealed the team’s excitement upon hearing the news. "It’s not just about this latest release; it’s the culmination of eight years of relentless innovation. We’ve crafted a system that evolves while keeping its original design essence intact — a feat we take immense pride in."

A Unique Approach to Design

What sets Azurion apart? According to Stuyfzand, it’s all about workflow. "Understanding the clinician's needs and allowing functionality to feel effortless is our mantra," he explained. The design is intentionally straightforward, focusing on making complicated tasks feel seamless.

Empathy at the Core

The iF jury hailed Azurion as exemplary for its human-centered design. For Stuyfzand, this designation signifies a commitment to both clinicians and patients. "Every design choice is rooted in empathy and usability. It’s about creating a system that medical professionals trust and that patients feel safe using," he emphasized.

Collaboration Across Disciplines

Behind Azurion is a diverse team of experts, including industrial designers, UX specialists, and service designers. They collaborate to enhance real-world clinical experiences. Stuyfzand mentioned, "A good day is when we see our designs positively impacting patient care."

Fast-Tracking Life-Saving Care

With a focus on urgent medical situations like strokes, Azurion boasts optimized workflows. Features include robust imaging capabilities and efficient controls that keep the care team within sterile environments, significantly reducing delays and enhancing decision-making speed.

The Meaning Behind the Work

Stuyfzand expressed the profound satisfaction derived from knowing Azurion is in daily use for patient care worldwide. "Every second, a patient receives treatment facilitated by this system. It’s a weighty responsibility that fuels our motivation — every design decision has a direct impact on lives."

Moments of Connection

For Stuyfzand, the most gratifying moments come when clinicians interact with prototypes, revealing the system's potential to tackle real challenges. "Seeing that spark of realization in their eyes is unbelievable. It’s the driving force behind our incessant pursuit of improvement."