Injury Prevention Wearable Device: Designing Safe Mobility for Recovery
A patient-safety gown system developed with Mayo Clinic to help hospital patients move independently after surgery, without fear of falling.
A SCADpro x Mayo Clinic Sponsored Studio
In January 2024, SCADpro and Mayo Clinic partnered to create a safety device aimed at helping patients move independently, promoting a more effective recovery process. The team looked beyond patient safety alone to the dignity and overall experience of wearing the device during hospitalization.
Post-Surgery Patients Are Vulnerable to Falls
Research identified obstacles that make hospital patients, especially post-surgery, vulnerable to falls and injuries. How can we mitigate these risks using modern technology to enhance patient safety and ensure a more effective recovery experience?
Phase I of the design process began with the current standard S20 vest, a static solution built from neoprene, silicone, and orthopedic flexible polyurethane. Testing this existing approach with patients and clinicians surfaced a consistent set of pain points:
- Discomfort in wearing
- Restricts mobility
- Too hard to carry
- Not enough cushioning to break a fall
- Airbag is ineffective
- Feeling of anxiety
- Inflation is hard to get
What the Redesign Had to Deliver
Reducing fall-related injuries
Restoring patient independence
Enhancing patient dignity during hospitalization
Creating thoughtful, patient-centered solutions
Understanding Patients and Hospital Staff
A persona grounded our design in a real recovering patient's goals and pain points, while a stakeholder map kept hospital staff's own priorities and workload in view alongside the patient's.
Primary persona
Stakeholder empathy map
Materials, Gown Formation, and Smart Features
The design focused on three tracks at once: selecting materials for comfort and durability, refining the gown for better fit and mobility, and integrating smart technology for enhanced functionality.
Wearable Sensors Meet Anti-Shock Protection
In our ideation process, we are exploring the integration of wearable devices with gowns, leveraging anti-shock TPU materials for enhanced protection. By combining these elements, we aim to create a comprehensive solution that not only monitors patient health but also safeguards against potential injuries. This innovative approach ensures that patients receive optimal care and comfort while minimizing the risk of accidents or shocks.
Design crit and fit check
Ideating hood forms in cardboard
Team brainstorming wearable directions
Five Interchangeable Protection Pieces
The final system offers patients a choice of head and body protection, so the level of coverage matches how mobile and confident each patient feels.
Lightweight, Full Coverage
The most traditional design is a hood attached to the gown. When a patient leaves the bed, they can lift the hood to fully protect their head. Through many iterations, we turned a heavy, bulky hood into a lightweight, sleek form.
Structured, Foldable
The attached collar eliminates unnecessary coverage yet still maintains adequate protection. This direction was inspired by Dr. Francis's concern about patients experiencing claustrophobia while wearing a hood. Metal armature wire runs along the edges of the collar, giving it structure to stand as well as giving wearers the ability to fold down the collar for added comfort and freedom.
Minimal Bulk
The bonnet offers essential protection for the head with minimal fabric bulk. The sleek structure detached from the gown offers comprehensive protection without obstructing peripheral vision, hearing, or movement.
Minimal Protection
A lightweight, detachable helmet with a strap around the chin is the most minimal protection piece.
Adjustable Padding
Integrated hip padding. Hanging straps adjust in height to accommodate different heights and body sizes. After creating a prototype with hip padding sewn into the gown, we quickly realized it was impractical to create a one-size-fits-all solution. This directed us to create a belt that can be easily adjusted.
Testing and Presenting to Mayo Clinic
The team demonstrated the gown on-site, walking hospital staff through fit and comfort before presenting final boards and prototypes to the sponsor.
From Concept to Product Realization
I gained valuable practical experience through an injury-prevention wearable device project with the guidance and teaching of Professor:
- Hands-on Project Experience: By designing and developing the project for the company, I learned the entire process from concept to product realization, enhancing my practical skills.
- On-Site Demonstration Practice: During on-site demonstrations, I learned how to effectively present our design to clients and users, listen to their feedback, and make improvements based on actual needs.
- Comprehensive Skill Enhancement: The project not only improved my technical abilities but also strengthened my communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, laying a solid foundation for future career development.
