Pulse – redesigning intravenous cannulation

Ce qu'il fait

Pulse is a handheld device integrating vein finding technology with the insertion of an intravenous cannula. Pulse guides the paramedic to correctly cannulate, increasing confidence and building trust in the IV process for both the patient and practitioner.

Votre source d'inspiration

I followed paramedics, sat in on events, helped out, built trust and relationships that carried on throughout my project. I interviewed 10 deeply and talked to many more. We created journey maps of their day. I gained understanding of what they did / their role / their culture from their stories. Over and over I heard of the difficulties and frustrations of the current procedure of cannulating. What was funny is that they didn't think it needed fixing they just accepted its frustrations and complexities.

Comment ça marche

The visual and haptic interface guides the practitioner to accurately insert an IV cannula using two ultrasonic transmitters. The visual feedback shows the practitioner what is happening under the skin as it is moved around the body and prompts the correct position, angle and depth of insertion through pressure transducers. The tactile feedback amplifies the current feedback received and together with the graphical interface, creates a multimodal sensual experience the practitioner can easily recognize and understand. The cannula itself has been redesigned, integrating the needle and catheter with the luer plug. The valve system closes after the needle has been retracted, blocking the flow of blood from the catheter after insertion. The device fully retracts the needle after correct insertion and, when prompted, ejects the cannister without the need to touch it. The reusable housing can be sterilized (if needed), and reused.

Processus de conception

Choose user group my design can help. Paramedics. Follow, gain empathy and trust of paramedics. Find out about culture, role and tasks. How do paramedics hold themselves? Feel about their job? what do their tools need to communicate? What is out there on the market? What is helping them with their jobs now? What product interaction do they enjoy? What is working, what is not? Try to cannulate (on a dummy). Seek to deeply understand the task of cannulating. What does the situation usually look like, feel like? How urgent in the line of tasks is it? How do paramedics first learn and how do they feel about it? How do they improve? How do they gain confidence? Design three concepts. Develop one widely. Sketch, build physical prototypes (100s of them). Test ergonomics within the context of the patient's body. Perception and sensory tests of objects on the skin, temperature, comfort. Gain understanding from paramedic teachers what are common mistakes made by students learning. Many more form studies. How could a cannula be injected differently and better than it is done now? Take physical prototypes back to paramedics. Observe while they role play cannulating with them. What interactions were used? How did they cannulate? Which was comfortable and understandable? Iterate. Refine.

En quoi est-il différent ?

Pulse integrates vein-finding technology with the insertion of an IV cannula in one, compact housing. It makes the invisible visible, showing in real-time what the practitioner previously could only feeI. The cannula itself has been redesigned to better fit the body and integrate many components that were previously separate. This integration stops the overflow of blood with a two-way valve system and eliminates a fiddly, messy and potentially dangerous step in the cannulation process. After insertion, the needle automatically fully retracts, and after prompting, the canister ejects ‘hands free’. This design focuses on the needs of the paramedic and the patient. Pulse steps away from the utilitarian feel and aesthetic crowding the normal medical environment. Pulse is a friendly, simple and intelligent tool which helps the paramedic feel confident and ready to cannulate, whatever the situation may bring.

Plans pour l'avenir

I would develop this concept through clinical and usability trials, understanding how my current design can be improved, the way paramedics would interact with it in the real world, and the reactions of patients. I would research into the disposal of contaminated parts, hoping to design a sterilisable and recyclable product, potentially even back into a canister for safe reuse. I would design the visual interface to only prompt what is essential but keep the paramedic fully informed. I would develop a charging dock for ambulance and mobile use. I would like to integrate smart technology, e.g. documenting time, dose or drugs medicated.

Récompenses

Best award, gold pin, student category, 2016