SKILLS
Product Design / User Research / 3D Modelling /
3D Printing / Electronics Design / UX/UI Design / Illustration / Video Editing
Empowering arthritis patients through an integrated therapeutic system.
With an aging population and increased use of technological devices, chronic hand issues are expected to proliferate, taking a toll on the people’s lifestyle and autonomy. Arthritis in particular is a vast and growing issue, with over 50 million people affected in the U.S. alone.
Research
We looked into two types of arthritis that affects the hands: rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, and osteoarthritis, a degenerative “wear and tear” condition. While neither can be cured, hand exercises targeted at improving range of motion, strength, and flexibility have been proven to improve hand function in both types of arthritis when done consistent over a long term.
When examining existing market solutions, we identified a gap in accessible and versatile hand therapy and measurement devices. We also noticed that many of these devices were either clunky or not designed in an aesthetically pleasing way such that patients would be inclined to carry them around throughout their day.
II. Personas
We interviewed several patients, doctors, occupational therapists, and telehealth experts, which informed the development of four personas: a Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient, an Osteoarthritis patient, a Hand Specialist, and an Occupational Therapist.
III. Experience Map
We developed an experience map to better visualize the pain points experienced by these personas. We decided to focus specifically on the treatment aspect of the journey; as we identified several pain points and opportunities in this space, most notably:
Telehealth limitations
Rehabilitation & pain management
Treatment/exercise adherence
Mental wellbeing
HYPOTHESIS
By creating a solution for arthritic patients that is data driven, incorporates gamification, and fosters connection, we can increase their adherence to exercise treatments and consequentially, empower them physically and emotionally in their daily lives.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Convenient & Portable
Patients can do exercises anywhere without disrupting their day.
Approachable
It doesn’t feel like another cold and clunky medical device or confusing app.
Integrated
No need to manually input/track data across devices and apps.
Ideation
We generated numerous design concepts through diverging and converging ideation sprints. Integrating insights from patient and expert interviews with feedback for our sketches, we convened on a multifunctional hand-held device and ecosystem focusing on the therapeutic cycle of a hand arthritis patient.
Prototyping
Looks-like Prototypes
We began by exploring form and function through clay models to understand ergonomics and interaction. After testing with users, we realized that the ridges were not a “one-size-fits-all” form for different hand sizes, so we moved towards smooth edges. We then moved into 3D modelling, where we continually iterated on the product form and considered both ergonomics as well as the range of hand exercises that could be done with the device.
Works-like Prototypes
We also placed a distinct emphasis on making our products internals work - the Arduino Nano Sense BLE was the base platform we used to create force circuits that measured pinch and grip strengths. We also created systems that relayed pressure readouts from the Arduino to a mobile phone, and we also trained the accelerometer on our device to recognize use patterns and count repetitions.
Force sensor - Reads out pressure & force
Force sensor + Bluetooth - Data is sent to phone
Force Sensor + LED - Light intensity increases w/ pressure
Accelerometer - Counts # of times the device is picked up
Final Designs
Through continual iterations with consultations from doctors, OTs, and patients, we developed the Integrated reLEAF Ecosystem, a therapeutic solution for hand arthritis patients consisting of three components:
I. Leap Motion
Range of motion measurement (wrist & fingers)
Finger extension measurement
Real-time sync to mobile app during telehealth visits with OT
II. ReLeaf Stem
The reLeaf stem is a piece of smart rehabilitation equipment that tracks patients’ grip and pinch strength, records reps and activity, and displays key indicators of progress as it is used. Exercise data is recorded by the device and is synced in real-time to the patient’s phone via Bluetooth, enabling a seamless user experience.
III. Mobile App
The final component of the reLEAF ecosystem is a mobile app which seamlessly integrates across all products and gamifies the experience to increase adherence, provides supportive community features to boost mental wellness and improve pain management, as well as incorporates progress tracking tools to enable dynamic reporting and treatment adaptation.
Leap Motion Demo Video
reLEAF Stem + Mobile App Demo Video
IMPACT
Occupational Therapists endorsed this integrated system to both improve patient adherence as well as communication between patients and health professionals.
Project has been shared with other studios as an example of a project that lived and breathed a human-centered design process.
SKILLS DEVELOPED
Electronics design
3D modelling & 3D printing
Decision-making & prioritization frameworks to navigate through ambiguous design process
INSIGHTS
We each brought different skills to the table: UX/UI design (myself), mechanical engineering (Steven), and business/data analytics (Kelsey) and learned from each other’s respective areas of expertise. Teams produce the best work when they cross-collaborate and exchange skills and perspectives.