MIKA

Ce qu'il fait

MIKA minimizes the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications in children over the age of three undergoing open-heart surgery. Designed as a game, it combines breathing exercises with accurate lung function measurements.

Votre source d'inspiration

Children in hospitals often experience fear and helplessness during extended stays. Age-appropriate explanations are frequently lacking—whether about diagnoses, treatments, or routine tests. Yet it is essential that they feel safe, understood, and supported. The European Association for Children in Hospital emphasizes: “Children must be able to play and recover in an environment appropriate to their age and condition.”
MIKA addresses this need: a child-friendly breathing therapy game that reduces fear and strengthens self-efficacy—my contribution to UN SDG 3: ensuring healthy lives. Child-centered care must be intentionally designed.

Comment ça marche

MIKA is an interactive breathing therapy game that helps improve lung function in children. It uses spirometry to measure airflow. A precise airflow sensor inside the orange spirometer captures breath volume, speed, and patterns. This data is transmitted via Bluetooth to the MIKA app, which generates a spirogram that can be shared with medical professionals.
Mini-games increase test accuracy: for example, the child blows out a fire in the app to measure Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). The fox Mika (the ball) is guided through a labyrinth—representing a mountain—by the child’s breathing.
MIKA supports three key phases: pre-op preparation, hospital recovery, and at-home follow-up. The technology is based on professional spirometry, yet it is compact and child-friendly. Real-time feedback and progress tracking help clinicians monitor therapy.
MIKA makes breathing therapy playful, reduces fear, and strengthens children’s sense of agency.

Processus de conception

The development began with extensive research on postoperative rehabilitation, spirometry, and child development between the ages of 3 and 10. Expert interviews with parents, hospital psychologists, nurses, doctors, surgeons, medical clowns, and adults with childhood experiences, as well as qualitative observations in hospitals, playgrounds, and homes, provided deep insights into fears, motivation, and therapy acceptance.
Pedagogical research shaped the design, taking into account physical, cognitive, and social aspects of child development. This research is thoroughly documented.
Early cardboard prototypes tested the core mechanics and gameplay. Playtests with Nina (4) revealed optimization needs in material, weight, and usability. The interaction with the character Mika was refined to deepen emotional engagement.
The final version will combine durable, hygienic materials with a digital component that collects spirometry data and provides feedback to physicians.
The spirometer connects easily via bluetooth to the MIKA App. Through its interactive system of airflow sensors, mini-games, and progressive challenges, MIKA makes breathing therapy intuitive and motivating. Clinical trials are the next step.

En quoi est-il différent ?

MIKA differs from existing respiratory therapy devices through its unique integration of spirometry, gamification, and physical gameplay. While conventional spirometers are primarily diagnostic tools, MIKA embeds an interactive game experience that maintains long-term motivation in children.
Unlike traditional breathing trainers, which often appear technical, unappealing, or overly clinical, MIKA relies on child-friendly design and a compelling story centered around the fox Mika.
Many comparable products are limited to apps with no physical interaction or rely on rigid training methods with little adaptability. MIKA, on the other hand, offers a modular system that supports all three therapy phases—preparation, hospital stay, and aftercare—ensuring continuous support.
This combination of evidence-based therapy and playful learning makes MIKA a unique solution in pediatric respiratory therapy.

Plans pour l'avenir

MIKA has evolved through iterative prototyping. To conduct clinical trials, a testable technical version is needed—requiring financial support.
The next step is to spin off the project with an interdisciplinary team to advance product development, certification, and market entry.
The goal is to establish MIKA as an accessible solution for children—via a rental system in cooperation with health insurance providers.
This way, MIKA can be used regardless of social background and contribute long-term to improving pediatric respiratory therapy.

Récompenses