PROBLEM
From concept to manufacture, a project to create a device or technology which increases medical compliance for a prescribed course of treatment.
This project is supported by 'Sagentia'.
SOLUTION
We found that 40% of sever allergy attack happen without an injector nearby due to leaving their injector at home.
Instead of designing an entirely new device, we decided to design an accessory that will encourage users to carry their Epipen with them.
PenPal, a Bluetooth enabled companion device that notifies the user when they are more than a set distance away from their injector. During an emergency, it provides carefully engineered audio instructions to aid bystanders administer the injector correctly.
We have continued to test and refine our device for submission to the James Dyson Award 2020.
CONCEPT & DEVELOPMENT
This area a few of the selection of my concept ideas. As a group the best concepts were chosen and further development sketches were produced shown in the following. The final concept was our final design representation and idea.
DESIGN REPRESENTATION
The following are renders created on Keyshot 9 for the final design representation we had for our auto injector device.
WEARABLE: This product links to the attachment via bluetooth. The red button activates the emergency function and the white button is used to locate the attachment + Epipens.
EpiPen attachment render
Attachment with two EpiPen injectors (it is a requirement for allergy sufferers to carry two auto injectors in case one failed, our product accommodates this )
PROTOTYPING PHASE
Using my knowledge of programming, I was able to create a fully functional prototype using a series of Arduinos and Bluetooth modules. Featuring three functions; location, alerting bystanders and out of proximity alerts. This demonstration can be seen in the video.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic we were unable to finish printing the enclosure for the device. The design representation seen above is too scale and can be printed to fit all the components required.
This prototype would have been used in trials to test the effectiveness of the device.
PRODUCT TESTING ONLINE
As we are unable to test the product in trials due to social distancing concerns, we posted this product demo video to Allergy Support Group UK. With over 50+ responses these were their comments:
"One of my biggest fears is someone not knowing how to inject myself if i need it."
"...I would pay £60 - £100, this would fly off the shelves!"
"I think this gadget would be a godsend"
"What a brilliant idea for children for that extra piece of mind!"
"This would be a game changer, we nearly always forget them ours"
"If it ever went on kickstarter, I would back it..."
Keyshot 9 animation displaying product functionality
JAMES DYSON AWARD 2020
Currently in my own time, I have been redesigning the product to submit for the James Dyson Award 2020. This Entry can be viewed here: https://www.jamesdysonaward.org/2020/project/penpal/
