Design tackles diabetes
Nanotechnology Victoria (NanoVic) has developed breakthrough technology that will enable some medications to be administered via an inhaler rather than injection.
NanoVic in conjunction with Monash University spent nearly $A 1 million developing the technology for a device for the world’s growing number of insulin dependent adults and children currently dependent on a regime of injections.
NanoVic wanted a prototype that was small, smart, lightweight, attractive, simple and safe to use for exhibition to potential investors at an international exhibition.
For this Design Victoria business immersion pilot, Melbourne industrial design firm Charlwood Design was selected to work with NanoVic to produce an end user prototype of the inhaler. This sort of prototype looks externally like a final product but has only limited moving parts. It is designed to convey a convincing image of the final product and is often used to attract further investment.
Facts at a Glance
Critical success factor: Engaging the designer early so that the function of the product, not just its aesthetics, could be influenced by design.
Most difficult issue: The technology `inside’ the prototype was still under development, requiring the designer to adapt to changes during the process.
Solution: An end user prototype of a pulmonary inhaler with some detachable parts that would give a sense of how the final product might look. The prototype was complemented by an animation demonstrating the device in operation.
Summary
“The core of the nanotechnology development and inhaler design was to reduce the complexity, risk, and discomfort involved with injecting insulin for the world’s growing number of insulin reliant diabetics”, says designer Paul Charlwood.
Perhaps the most fundamental lesson out of this immersion was the benefit of engaging the designer early in the product development process. Questions posed by the designer revealed gaps in NanoVic’s thinking, enabling these to be addressed before fronting investors at an important USA biotechnology exhibition in May 2007.
According to NanoVic, the design work helped to fundamentally improve the technology as well as provide an aesthetically appealing prototype. NanoVic also discovered that a designer could provide an insight into what the user / market wants / needs.
Though getting involved early is always advisable, Charlwood suggested that in this case it was almost too early. That is, because the technology had not been absolutely specified this information had to be back-filled while the designs were taking shape. In this case it worked, but in others it is likely to delay the design process.
User interface
Careful consideration went into the interface design of the insulin inhaler device, taking into account that it will be used by people of all ages, and from many different backgrounds and cultures. It needed to incorporate a series of functions that are operated by the user, in a specific order. These functions needed to be simple enough for a child to perform, while ensuring consistently correct administration.
The current products on the market used by diabetics to check blood sugar levels and administer insulin were analysed, as was the process in which they used these products. This process then determined how the user would interact with the inhaler.
The design solution
Simple, attractive and safe for self administration by children and adults were priority objectives for the design. The final inhaler prototype utilises a process that encompasses all aspects of the product, including sterility issues, ergonomic limitations, technological constraints, and user requirements; while still keeping the interface quite simple. This was achieved by not using a large tactile dial rather than an LCD as the client had first requested.
The user simply loads the sterile insulin cartridge, dials the amount of insulin to administer, and inhales. Audible, tactile and visual indicators aid the user, ensuring the process is carried out correctly.
Because the device is to be carried by the user at all times, the size and shape of the design needed to be small enough to fit in your pocket and comfortable when being held in the hand.
The overall ‘look and feel’ of the inhaler portrays a more playful feel, rather than a medical themed device, making it more user friendly for children and adults alike.
“We had made up our minds that the device had to look something like a mobile phone. It was gratifying that the designer challenged this thinking and pushed our limits.” - NanoVic
“We felt that if they wanted to take something to the conference and wanted people to say `wow’ then it should have a look that attracted attention to the technology” – Paul Charlwood, Charlwood Design
Results
The device boarded a plane on the due date, and was exhibited at the Boston conference in May 2007. NanoVic reported potential investors were attracted to the device’s finished appearance. Through the questions raised in the design process, NanoVic also had the confidence to answer detailed questions on issues such as safety, battery power and actual use. NanoVic demonstrated to their funding bodies (the Victorian government and universities) that it was focused on moving from the technology to commercialisation.
Click here to read the full case study.
Related Links
Interstitial NanoSystems Pty Ltd — www.interstitial.com.au
Charlwood Design — www.charlwood.com.au