Jihoon.Folio
Jihoon.Folio
Happy Faces: Chemoband
"Monitoring the patient's heart rate and body temperature outside the hospital, to help lower the risk of developing infection during chemotherapy treatment ."
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Background
According to research findings, it was found that for males out of 100 people 40 are expected to develop cancer during their lifetime, while 38 people for females. Another source states that around 1,1800 children suffer and die from cancer yearly. Whereas, 60,000 hospitalised people will be affected from serious infection, while one out of 14 people from this group heavily suffer from Neutropenia. As the statistics suggest immense amount of people have been affected and suffered greatly from cancer.
To battle this condition, there are three types of methods that are used to treat the cancer patients in the following: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. When patients go through chemotherapy, the nature of the treatment itself heavily involve around damaging the system inside patient's body that reduce the white blood cells (WBC).
40%
Male
38%
Female
1,1800 Children with Cancer
Problem
It is crucial to maintain the white blood cells between 4,000-11,000 WBCs per microliter of blood, which is considered as a normal count to help fight against infections. However, when patients go through chemotherapy the nature of the treatment itself heavily involve around damaging the system inside patient's body that reduce the white blood cells (WBC). This side effect is called Neutropenia. About 60,000 patients have been hospitalised due to serious infection from Neutropenia.
There are various symptoms that is seen when one has an infection. The patient could have a fever with a body temperature about 38 Celcius degree. They can also have a shortness of breath with an heart rate above 130 BPM over normal level. As mentioned above, these are both abnormal levels and extremely fatal especially for children during a chemotherapy treatment.
High chances of infection
+ 38°C
+ 130 BPM
Key Issue
After treatment most patients go into a stage of healing and recovery. Less time is spent in the clinic and seeing cancer care team less often. Patient stress may go down, but the caregiver stress may not. Day-to-day care for and monitoring of the patient becomes the caregiver’s job, and not seeing the cancer care team as often may leave you feeling alone and without back-up or support. The caregiver plays a key role during this time and there can be many responsibilities.
Target Audience
There is a vast amount of children who have been heavily affected by cancer and have been undergoing chemotherapy in order to treat their condition. Therefore, the target audience will be focused on patients aged between 5 and 11 years old as this is the most ideal age with correct supervision, are able to use the product responsibly. As the caregiver (generally the parent of the patient/child) have an important role in keeping the patient protected during their treatment, they will also be referred back to regularly during the designing process.
Stakeholder Map
Health Service
Patient (Child 5-11 Years Old)
Paediatric Nurse
Social Worker/
Occupational Therapist
Research Groups
Psychologist
Surgeon
Practitioner
Paediatric Oncologist
Direct Relatives
Child Activity Programs, Services
Entertainment
Fundraising/
Donation
Local Community
Social Support
Other Patients/
Cancer Survivors
Parents/
Guardian
Spouse
Extended Relatives
Friends
Personal Support
Core Aims
Safe
-
Simple
-
High-Quality
-
Durable
Non-Invasive
-
Ergonomic/Comfortable
-
Least Disruptive
-
Soft/Smooth
-
Intuitive
Friendly
-
Non-Intimidating
-
Protective
-
Warm
-
Interesting
Competitor Analysis
Non-Invasive
Simplicity
High-Quality
Friendly
Target
Mood Board
Characteristics
Smooth Surfaces
Rounded
Organic
Warm Palette
Crisp Lines
Simplicity
White
Elegant
Self-Directed
Indication
Symbols
Playful
Sketch Exploration
Concept Designs
Concept Design 1
The first concept explores the idea of incorporating a sensory equipment with VR. A VR, which can be easily approached by children has the benefit of providing a positive and relaxing VR experience through the google. The sensor would be embedded into the temple area, inside of the goggle that can maintain to monitor whenever the user taking a VR experience.
Concept Design 2
The second concept is focused on everyday use band. Depending on the user's preference it can either become a headband or wristband. It's flexible and lightweight material will allow the user to use it in outdoors for convenience. In order to suit different types of users, there are various types of straps and allows for customisation for playfulness/personalisation.
Concept Design 3
The third concept explores in using a portable game console/controller that can be utilised by the user anywhere at anytime. The equipment is ergonomically shaped for the hand to provide a good grip comfort. It provides activities similarly of a 'Bop it' tool where it allows you to perform various hand actions under numerous levels. To not only isolate the user, other people can use it (without sensor technology) making it compatible for one vs one match.
Design Developments
From the concept design options, the second concept has been selected and was further explored through multiple sketches. The sketches were useful to figure out how the internal components would be situated and organised without causing restrictions for the outer body.
Sketch Ideation
CAD Model
From the sketches, the concept design was further explored using a CAD program. During this stage, major technicalities had to be sorted out, such as the measurements, internal components, shape of the headband body, overall material and finishing. Once the headband housing has been finalised, the file was sent to a 3D printer to print out for the prototype model.
Prototyping
Using the 3D printer, the headband was printed out. It consists of the top layer, bottom layer and internal component such as the button. Several testing were undergone to reach to most accurate result. The printed parts were then sanded thoroughly while applying a prima spray on the surface. Coloured sprays were applied for the finishing.
Design Solution
Introducing the Chemoband, a headband that monitors the user's heart rate and body temperature. The headband will monitor and alert the carer if any abnormal levels have been detected. When the patient is no longer required to stay at the hospital they are still in a vulnerable state, therefore the Chemoband ensures that the patient will be looked after outside of the hospital, and provide an earlier treatment to further prevent infection during the duration of their chemotherapy.
Technical Details
Storyboard
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Additional Features
Wireless Charger
The charger connects to the headband through induction coils that is placed inside. The LED shown on both the charger as well as headband indicates the charging status.
Additional Features
The app receives data on the user's heart rate and body temperature, which updates in real-life time that can be accessed by both carer and medical profession. The app will be able to provide a history of the user's health timeline during the period spent outside of the hospital. It also has an alert alarm setting that notifies when levels are reaching higher than average.
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Design Options
Outside of the reach of hospital staff, the Chemoband looks after the patient and helps to lower the risk of developing infection.
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