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Back power button & bottom heat/cool device

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Pinterest Board
https://pin.it/kWrJ91U
Accessible and clean remote app or statistic display UI designs

Key Points

Must be accessible! Large type and buttons. Clear intended actions and affordances. Easy to navigate to non-tech savvy consumers

Medical features include: Steps, HR, Balance

Therapeutic features include: Hot/Cold and Compression

Interactive features include: Contact with secondary/tertiary users, guided wellness activities (wii fit+ style)

Customizable and rewarding sensory affordances to make medical/orthotic journey more enjoyable or fun

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Nov 29, 2021 - Explore jillegelstaffwarner's board "2011 app" on Pinterest.

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Vamp

Felt as thermal textile and outer material

Cotton stuffing to show expanded/contracted state of compression therapy process

Sole

Foam

LCG

Pipe cleaners for internal tubing

Straws for external tubing

Polystyrene foam for external components

Thermoelectric Tech Bank

Polystyrene foam

Charging Mat

Silicone/plastic sheet

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Medical Device (not user owned)
Pros

Allows price to lower

Can lead to better fitting orthotics in less time

Brings more innovation for medical slow tech

Cons

Less user oriented - Impacts active aging less directly

Doesn't allow or warrant extra features like hot/cold/compression therapy - Would not be worth it for the lower price and shorter time frame for use

Less opportunity for secondary/tertiary user involvement

Personal Device (user owned)
Pros

Allows and warrants more features

Helps more with physical aspects rather than just diagnostic

More directly impacts active aging

Closer to brief and more about patient

Cons

Price would be higher

More complicated control for user

2 Component Hot/Cold Therapy System
Pros

Treatment is more localized

More proven and trusted strategies for heating/cooling

Cons

LCG requires other devices/items to use:

1. More work for users

2. Complicates control by not exclusively using the app

3. Eliminates option for cooling on the go

1 Component Hot/Cold Therapy System
Pros

All in one system makes control easy

Cons

Not as researched

Focused more on overall body temp control than targeted temp control

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OPTION 1
Separate heating and cooling devices, wearable thermal textile and liquid cooling system

Electric Wearable Thermal Textile
Textile able to heat up the entire expanse of fabric off of a battery charge, providing heat to the area where it is worn.

SKIINCore is a smart and wire-free heated base layer that keeps individuals warm while remaining flexible. Designed by engineers in Canada, SKIINCore features conductive yarn that delivers 18 watts of heating power from a battery that snaps into a docking station positioned at the midsection. The wearable generates heat for up to eight hours from the yarn that connects to a 56g battery.

In context of an orthotic:
Would line the whole slipper/shoe, and be controlled via the smartphone app. Textile can charge with the mat like while the rest of the orthotic charges

Liquid Cooling Garment

Cools the body by passing cold liquid through tubes. There are typically two parts to a liquid cooling garment:

the heat collection garment and tubing

a heat exchanger for removal of heat from the circulated fluid

Garment and tubing

The garment is typically a close-fitting non-stretching fabric or a tight-fitting elastic fabric, with flexible tubing sewn onto the fabric. A single layer of fabric may be used, with the tubing either on the inside directly contacting the wearer's skin, or on the outside separated by the fabric. If two layers of fabric are used, stitched channels can be formed which enclose the tubing between the two fabric layers. Where flame resistance is needed, the garment may be constructed out of materials such as nomex (aramid synthetic fiber).

The tubing is typically a few millimeters in diameter, and may be made out of any number of flexible plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or silicone. Smaller diameter tubing permits a higher degree of garment flexibility, but at a cost of lower heat absorption capacity, and increased pressure needed to push liquid through the tubing.

When a large area needs to be cooled or the external environment also heats the tubing, a single long tube may not be enough because the liquid becomes saturated with heat and cannot cool any further. Making the liquid much colder is not an option since it leads to uncomfortable coldness where the liquid enters the tubes. Instead, multiple parallel tubes are used to increase the volume of liquid available to absorb heat.

Skin coverage and tubing density can vary depending on the application. The garment may simply be a short-sleeved shirt, or it may be a full-body suit covering the arms and legs. Where the heat removal requirement is low, the tubing may be spaced several centimeters apart across the garment surface. Where there is a very large amount of heat to remove, the tubing can be arranged in a dense grid with no gaps between the tubes.

Heat exchanger

For portable earthbound applications, the heat exchanger for cooling the liquid can be very low-tech, consisting simply of a container for holding ice, and an electric pump to circulate water from the container through the tubing. The return water is cooled by the melting ice and again pumped through the tubes. Regulation of flow is done by varying pump speed or using an adjustable flow valve. Ice storage can be achieved using a belt-pack, a backpack, or a duffel bag, depending on the length of time needed for the cooling system to operate between refilling the ice storage.

In situations where the wearer must stay in place inside a vehicle, heavy but long-term-operation heat exchangers can be used, such as a refrigeration system to cool the liquid.

When the user's movement is partially hindered through the use of a life-support umbilical, cooling liquid can also be supplied via the umbilical.

In context of an orthotic:
The orthotics would be able to plug into a reusable, refillable ice pack that comes with the product. The tubing would run under the sole.

OPTION 2
Electric device that can both heat up and cool down the body using thermoelectric technology

Sony has developed the Reon Pocket – a smartphone-sized cooling device you can actually wear.

While the mini AC won't keep your body at the perfect temperature in every situation, it could have a noticeable effect on how hot or cold you feel. Hidden in a built-in pocket on a specially designed t-shirt, the device will be able to lower your personal body temperature by 23 degrees or raise it by about 14 degrees.

How does it work?

Instead of blowing processed air like your apartment building's AC, the body-mounted device uses what's known as the Peltier effect. The effect creates a temperature difference by transferring heat between two objects using electrical currents.

You'd control the personal thermostat with your smartphone app, but Sony wants to make the device autonomous in the future. The battery-powered wearable can run for 90 minutes on a single charge, and it takes two hours to fully recharge.

In the context of an orthotic:
Device would be built into the sole, and connect to the same smartphone app that controls the rest of the orthotic.

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NormaTec compression boots were originally founded as a medical device. The technology was developed by a physician bioengineer with the goal to help improve blood flow and speed up the recovery progress. Increased amount of research, it is now a clinically proven treatment to increase circulation, reduce soreness and help athletes perform at their best.

NormaTec is an innovative technology that uses air pressure massage and compression therapy to relieve muscle aches and/or pain and to temporarily increase circulation to the treated areas. The idea behind compression therapy is that by increasing blood flow to specific parts of the body -- encouraging your body to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to those areas -- you can speed up recovery, relieve pain and improve athletic performance - highly conducive to active aging.

NormaTec uses patent PULSE Massage Pattern which uses 3 techniques.

Pulsing

Instead of squeezing the legs to transport fluid out, NormaTec uses a pulsing mechanism which mimics the naturally occuring muscle pump within our body.

Distal release

Static pressure can have a negative effect to circulatory flow if it is maintained for too long. NormaTec uses 'Sequential Pulse Technology' which releases hold pressures once they are no longer needed to the backflow.

This ensures that each portion of the limb gains maximal rest time between compression cycles.

Gradients

Lymphatic vessels have one-way valves that prevent fluid backflow. The pulse technology uses hold pressures to keep everything flowing in the right direction and prevent backflow.

This feature also enables maximum pressure in each zone over the legs.

NormaTec compression therapy is clinically proven by a range of research studies. Research has revealed that NormaTec aids to:

Lessen pain sensitivity. Therefore accelerating recovery by reducing muscle soreness from pressure stimuli

Treat DOMS. A 30min session in the NormaTec compression boots increases blood flow possibility making it a viable management of DOMS

Clear metabolites Passively. NormaTec compression significantly lower blood lactate levels

Gene Expression in Muscle Tissue. NormaTec upregulates rps^(S group ribosomal proteins) and downregulates the Stat1 gene. This may assist with a positive adaptive response to exercise

Upregulates PGC-1a and eNos A 60min session has been proven to achieve this with biopsy samples. (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator, protein and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase, enzyme).

Improve Endothelial Function. A single session improves conduit artery endothelial function systematically and improve RH (Rhesus factor, e.g. + or -) blood protein flow

Decreases Muscle Fatigue After Exercise. Increases Flexibility and skeletal muscle oxidative stress during recovery from heavy resistance training

Increased Range of Motion. NormaTec rapidly enhances acute range of motion with less discomfort and time

In the context on an orthotic:
Built into the shoe/slipper body, e.g. sides and top of the feet (vamp) where material can move and expand/contract. Controllable through smartphone app.

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Actions

Walking (Intuitive, it's footwear)

Activating therapy features

Checking personal or other user's stats

Charging

Responses

Collecting and displaying data

Providing therapeutic processes

Affordances
Physical

Visual assets to indicate use, like sliders/dials in app to raise/lower temperature

Cognitive

App UI

Icons

Charging and Timeline Status

Sensory

Sight based signal like charging light

Sound effects when performing actions in app

Speech notifications (instead of a 'ding', "your orthotics are done charging")

Status

Colour coordinated battery status light on boot, mat, and app

In app diagrams that show current state of info

Real time updates on current temperature of boot

Real time updates on stage of compression therapy session

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Pros (as it relates to my personal experience with medication)
- I shut alarms off without taking pills. More reliable way on holding patients accountable for taking pills. Cannot just be shut off. Alarm/vibration will only stop after pill cup is removed and put back without the pills.
- I am deterred from taking pills if I have to go find something to take them with. Device can store small portions of food/drink.
- I don't always stay on top of refills. Device automatically notifies user and doctor when running low.

Pros (as it relates to arthritis users specifically)
- Hard to pick up small pills and locate all the correct containers and dosages. Eliminates need for fine motor skills used in picking up pills/opening blister packs

Cons
- Not specific to people with arthritis. A machine focused on maintaining perfect medication regime is more important for those who MUST take a number of pills at the right time, like those with blood pressure issues.

Conclusion
- Interesting area to pursue as it has a personal connection
-This path is not as related to arthritis
-Prototype/mockup to come

Next Steps
-Talk with Dr. Loukadis
- Make clear what the functions/buttons on the device itself are
- Determine what the system is for reloading/identifying different medication
- Design app interface
- Is there any way to make device cater more to people with arthritis instead of just those who take medication frequently?

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Notes from Conversation with Emily
- Europe, specifically Germany, is far ahead of America in orthotic technology
- New studies involve smart orthotics
- Great option not only for post-measurement use, but also to get the proper fitting orthotic. Being told to stand or walk on a mat 'normally' impacts genuine results, using smart soles unconsciously over a long period of time gives better information about weight distribution, balance, and overall gait
-Example of 'slow tech'
-Helpful from a practitioner's stand point, often appts are short and podiatrists don't stay updated on everything that happens to a patient after they leave
-Cost of soles is a big roadblock for many users

Conclusion
- Emerging tech in Europe shows large market and practical personal and medical use
-Could be pushed more towards a podiatry product, to wear temporarily to help fit soles for arthritis users
-Prototype/mockup to come

Next Steps
- Refine use/purpose. More personal, more medical, or even mix of both. Think about cost to user vs cost to medical facility.
- Design app interface

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Wearable grip tool

Textured pads assist with turning door handles, opening jars, holding food while chopping, etc.

Can heat up or cool down to provide relief to joints during or outside of activities

Discreet and conveniently portable (attaches to keychain/back of phone/purse)

Wirelessly rechargeable to eliminate need for fine motor skills/finding small port

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Custom soles to fit in existing shoes, or option to be  built into new footwear

Provide comfort to foot joints/relieve compression

Can heat/cool for temperature theory on joints

Tracks: Steps taken. Heart rate. Percentage of balance on each foot to identify weaknesses. Amount of physical activity done

Connects to app that can be checked by PSW or tertiary users

App displays reminders for exercise, controls for heating/cooling, stats recorded by sole

Discreet and customizable

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1. Help with taking meds

2. Help with grip/motor skills

3. Hot/cold therapy device

4. Orthotic shoes/slippers/soles

5. PT assistance

6. At-home red light therapy

7. Diagnostic/evaluative device

8. Walking aid

9. Kitchen multitool

10. Gardening multitool

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Addresses needs of people with arthritis (pain relief, assistance in physical activities, medical/therapy treatment)

Assists in active aging (makes life easier, aids in medical upkeep, allows for growth)

Discreet/fashionable (so seniors are not embarrassed to use it)

Able to be used solo or with help for secondary/tertiary users (Personal Service Workers, friends, family)

Simple design (easy to understand, uncomplicated instructions for use, little to no learning curve)

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My goal is to design a multi-tool with app connectivity for people with arthritis to aid them in daily living and self-care, which can be used solo and/or monitored with assistance from a secondary or tertiary user, to provide ease of activity, pain relief and status of condition.

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Application to keep track of ongoing physical therapy treatments

Reminders for daily exercises

Message directly with physical therapist/healthcare professional for questions, feedback, updates, and video messages demonstrating exercise

Demonstration videos/tips

Connect with friends

Daily challenges/badges/streaks/awards to encourage consistent use

PSW/tertiary users can track whether their patient has done their PT exercises

Phone and TV capability for portable or large screen viewing

Keep track of upcoming PT appointments

Make notes on specific exercises to remember what to talk to your physical therapist about next visit

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Automatically dispenses pills on a set timer

Eliminating the difficult task for those with arthritis to pick up individual pills from a bottle

Reusable unlike blister packs

Built in alarm/connects to phone to alert user when to take medication

Timer/app can display whether or not the user has taken their medication yet that day/night, and displays a countdown to when the next dose is needed

Customization of app appearance/alert sounds to make taking medication a positive experience

Can be used by PSW/family/friends to check if their patient has taken their medication on time

Magnetic charging cable and port to eliminate need for fine motor skills

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Prof Shital Desai
PhD, Interaction Design
Email: desais@yorku.ca
Twitter: @SaTSlabYorkU
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shitaldesai/
Bechance:
or anything else you want to use for promotional purposes

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My goal is to design a multi-tool for people with arthritis to aid them in daily living at home, which can be used solo or used with assistance from a secondary or tertiary user, to provide ease of activity and pain relief.