Project
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ReliefPod
A remote treatment and monitoring system designed for individuals with chronic pain.
Info
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Project Type
Graduation Project
Role
Product Designer
Timeline
Apr 2023 - Jun. 2023
Graduation Project
Role
Product Designer
Timeline
Apr 2023 - Jun. 2023
End Result
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ReliefPod is an integrated system that comprises a wearable infusion pump, a patient user interface, and a doctor user interface. It is dedicated to assisting patients with chronic pain in returning to their normal daily activities and establishing an effective remote communication platform between doctors and patients.
Easy To Wear
The wearable infusion pump utilizes an innovative, painless, and easy-to-use Patient Controlled Subcutaneous Analgesia (PCSA) pump technology, allowing patients to self-administer and change their medication without the need for professional medical assistance.
Autonomous Pain Management
Autonomous Pain Management: When experiencing increased pain, patients have the ability to self-administer an additional dosage within prescribed safety limits, using either the physical button on the device or a virtual button within the app.
Visual Pain Diary
This innovative and user-friendly approach to pain logging replaces cumbersome paper records with intuitive visual representations, significantly easing the psychological burden on patients.
Real-Time Monitoring and Adjustment
Doctors can access up-to-the-minute patient health data through the user interface, allowing for precise, real-time modifications to medication dosages.
Context
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My choice of this topic is tied to my internship experience in an oncology department several years ago. After interacting with numerous patients in the middle to late stages of cancer, I recognized that pain associated with cancer is one of the significant distresses they face. Often, even when patients do not require any other in-hospital treatments, they are compelled to stay within the hospital's confines to better manage their pain. This situation is not exclusive to cancer patients but applies to anyone suffering from chronic pain. It led me to ponder whether this is genuinely what patients need.
Is being isolated in a hospital, away from family and friends, truly conducive to the patients' physical and mental health recovery?
Research
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Academic literature research
The biopsychosocial model of pain, proposed by Dr. George Engel in 1977, is a widely accepted theory that highlights pain as a phenomenon not only caused by biological factors but also influenced by psychological and sociological elements. The interaction among these three dimensions plays a crucial role in the perception and management of pain. It is evident from this theory that a normal living environment and positive social interactions have a significantly positive impact on pain treatment.
User research —
findings & insights
To understand the current situation of chronic pain treatment and the living conditions of patients, we interviewed four chronic pain patients and an oncologist. Here are the highlights from the interviews:
Persona
After Synthesis of the interviews, I created personas for patients to clarify the insights gained:
Research of treatmeants
Problems with oral painkillers
Oral painkillers are the most common treatment approach, but our research has revealed numerous drawbacks associated with them. These disadvantages could be one of the reasons behind the suboptimal treatment and management of chronic pain. Combining with other modes of administration is one way to enhance their effectiveness.
1.Gradual effectiveness onset.
2.Limited response to abrupt pain episodes.
3.Harm to the gastrointestinal system and liver.
4.Opioid dependency issues.
5.Inconsistent medication efficacy.
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
It is a new type of analgesia that was initially used mainly for postoperative pain relief, and has subsequently been introduced for the management of chronic pain and cancer pain as well.
The advantages of this approach are faster analgesia, greater autonomy, better control, more stable drug effects, and more favourable pain management.
Problem Statement
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Following my research, I've found that chronic pain significantly disrupts many patients' normal lives. Yet, reintegration into familiar environments and maintaining social relationships are vital to their pain management.
I plan to develop a remote chronic pain management system based on wearable, home-use PCA devices. The aim is to help patients return to a normal life while receiving improved treatment support.
Design Process
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Blueprint
Hardware
Technical analysis
After carefully considering treatment effectiveness, ease of use, and cost implications, I ultimately opted for the combination of an elastomeric infusion pump and subcutaneous analgesia technology.
Sketches & ideas
Final design
ReliefPod consists of three components: the wearable device, replaceable elastomeric drug capsules, and replaceable patches with micro-needles for injection. The device is easy to operate, allowing patients to wear it and change medications on their own at home.
The elastomeric pump's capsule can be reused many times. It is made from a blue, semi-transparent material. As the medication depletes, the capsule shrinks and darkens in color, serving as a reminder for users to timely replace the capsule.
The storage box of ReliefPod can hold approximately a month's supply of capsules and patches. This makes it highly practical for chronic pain patients who regularly visit the hospital for check-ups and to collect new medication.
Interface
Lofi & wireframes
Final design
Patient interface
Doctor interface
