Slender
OVERVIEW
An apparatus for relieving posture fatigue in the surgical environment for medical and para-medical personnel.
ROLE
UX Designer, UX researcher, Product designer
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The Challenge
When we think of the medical domain, it reminds only of doctors. But considering the field paramedics are larger in population compared with doctors. There is equipment exclusively designed and available for doctors and they are also used by paramedics. But there are limited equipment for paramedics.
Target Users
A paramedic is a medical professional working in hospitals and in ambulatory care. They provide services that do not require a fully qualified doctor such as tending to the needs of the patients (such as nursing, radiography, emergency
first aid, physiotherapy, and dietetics). In India, for every doctor, there are 10-15 paramedics. Most of the equipment is handled by the paramedics chiefly. But doctors are the ones who come to our mind when we think of medical professionals. The importance given to paramedics is infinitesimally small.
Nursing is a medical profession that cares for people and communities. They also stated that they wanted to maintain, achieve, or recover their health and quality of life.
The phase-01 research process
Since this is an exploration, enough time was initially devoted to the research to gain more knowledge of the target audience and the issues they are facing.
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Initial Research
The prime objective of this research is to understand their profession, their work routine and working culture. The hospitals have a multitude of departments as given below:
MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS
STUDY FIELD
Each department has its own work routine and workload they differ from one another. Among the departments, Emergency Department/Surgical Unit/General Ward was chosen for the research as they are the most common departments present even in small hospitals.
4 Hospitals
16 Participants
3 hr 20 min duration
* The candidate's interview was recorded with their permission to infer later not to lose the information.
UN STRUCTURED QUESTIONNAIRE
To get to know about the paramedics, an unstructured questionnaire was prepared. The questions were prepared from the basic knowledge attained from reading in websites and experience from previous interactions with them.
It was also clearly informed all the conversation would be recorded in the form of audio clips. Then the questions were asked randomly, depending on the situation of the field study.
FLY ON THE WALL
it's a simple method of observing and record behaviour within its context without interfering with the people activities. While waiting for the concern department people to meet, the observation was carried out in the designated area.
This method actually helped in knowing what people at the specified departments actually do within real contexts. This method also shows the work pattern they follow and their day-by-day routine at a specific time.
NARRATION
In the casual conversation with the paramedics, the users were asked to elaborate about their daily work routine. Depending on their answers, the questions were altered and made into a normal interaction.
This research method was chosen to get complete, explicit details and gives a lot of room for spot improvisation. All these conversations were also recorded with the prior permission of the concerned people interviewed. This process was a useful way to reach the paramedic motivations, concerns, perceptions and reasoning.
Insights
The recordings were thoroughly analyzed by listening to it multiple numbers of times for better understanding of the profession and their problems in the profession.
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LIST OF PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED
Card sorting
When the aforementioned results are analysed, it is discovered that all of these issues are connected. Every issue was coded. The focus area was then determined. In order to categorise the problems, the top four major areas where they are most prevalent were determined.
Brief Study
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The categorised groups and related topics were briefly explored. This initial study was carried out to learn about the technology developments that were already in use within the categorised groups. additionally to comprehend the depth of each topic's research. This quick study aided in the selection of the area that has room for investigation and intervention design.
Secondary research
The detailed literature study from the published papers about the selected topic in this case fatigue was done. The study was more on fatigue caused Work-related Musculoskeletal disorder happening in the paramedics.
TOPICS OF LIT. STUDY
Effects of Prolonged standing in Industry workplace
Occupational LBP in Hosptial Nurse
Effects of Prolonged standing in work
Risk factors of LBP among nurses in OT room
Work-related LBP in nursing personnel
WMSDs in Laparoscopic surgeons
Prevalence of WMSDs among medicals
Effects of Intervention in Healthcare on
WMSDs in surgeons Indian context
Issues in Laparoscopic OT room
WMSDs in surgeons & nursing
Focus of direction
During the literature study, it was clear that fatigue happens in many areas of the hospital. But the operational area was the section which kept raising as a concern. The operational area is more fatigue and emotional place and it more unpredictable.
In other areas, there is space to rest or relax. Some furniture as well to give them a break. The most challenging space was operational theatre.
AREA OF FATIGUE: SURGICAL THEATRE
Questionnaire & Survey
A structured questionnaire is sent to Paramedical & medical
people in the surgical field.
OCCUPATION OF THE RESPONDED PEOPLE
Staff nursing | Assistant Prof | OT nursing | General surgeon | Surgeon Assitance | Surgery. Junior. Resident | General & Laparoscopic Surgeon | Nurses | Student
22 Participants
25-56 Age range
02-28 Experience range
prolonged standing at the surgery or operational theater
causes
low back pain
prolonged standing at the surgery or operational theater
causes
fatigue
prolonged standing at the surgery or operational theater
causes
discomfort
27%
Maybe, the people are willing to give it a try
opinion whether paramedical people are interested in using some device or product to prevent them from prolonged standing in operation theater.
55%
Yes, opted to device or product in surgical atmosphere
Problem Statement
“To design a piece of equipment to reduce the prolonged
standing/fatigue of paramedics personnel
in surgical environment”
DESIGN PROCESS
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Requirement list
Making equipment, which can reduce fatigue. The design approach for the product is that it has to be appropriate for the environment. The equipment should be made with easy to use to aid the Para-medics in the surgical Atmosphere. The product cost will be affordable for Institutes.
IT SHOULD BE UNISEXUAL
APPROPRIATE WITH THE WORK SPACE
SHOULD AID IN INCLUSIVE DESIGN FOR MEDICS/PARAMEDICS
CHOICE OF MATERIAL IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP THEM STERILE
THE EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE LIGHTWEIGHT & MOVEABLE
LESS HAND INVOLVEMENT IN SETTING UP THE EQUIPMENT.
Design brief
Based on the research, the problem statement was clear enough to create a brief for the type of design approach needed to address the issue.
Making a piece of equipment that can lessen fatigue requires consideration for the surroundings. To help the para-medical staff in a surgical setting, the equipment should be simple to use. The price of the product will be reasonable for institutions.
PROTOTYPE-03
PROTOTYPE-01
PROTOTYPE-02
Ideation
Experience Prototype 1 & Try it yourself
Among the Ideas, three ideas with the high scope were taken. Then they were made into a quick prototype. The prototypes were made with the available materials and also once the prototypes were made they were tried to understand much more about the ideas. And also to get the experience of the user to make design improvisation.
PROTOTYPE-01
The first prototype is a wearable type. The product is worn and there is a locking system to restrict the position of the person. Hence when the user tries to sit. The product helps to lock at a particular angle and provide as support. Which helps in giving micro-breaks.
PROTOTYPE-02
The second prototype is a back support slender.
The product is worn or left alone. It acts as
support at back and also the height can be adjusted. The user sits on the flexible seat. whenever necessary. At the base, it is made heavy for support & balance.
PROTOTYPE-03
The second prototype is a back support slender.
The product is worn or left alone. It acts as
support at back and also the height can be adjusted. The user sits on the flexible seat. whenever necessary. At the base, it is made heavy for support & balance.
CONSOLIDATION
The third prototype, which was tested, was deemed successful. As a result, the third prototype was moved forward for more information. Along with the leaning mechanism, it also provided insights during the trying out. If it includes a seating system, it will be useful. The product also needed to come with a footrest. Fixed and tested was temporary seating.
ERGONOMIC AND ANTHROPOMETRIC DIMENSIONS STUDY WAS DONE
Before designing the device, the ergonomics study was done. Took multiple sessions with the ergonomics specialists, showed them the designs and took their feedback. The information got with this session were help full in coming up with the right form of the product. Also did book references for the Indian anthropometric dimensions to be incorporated in the design.
Final detailed design
The final product is named as SLENDER, the name is denoted for its simple, slick and slim look.
ABDOMEN
REST
SELF STOP CASING
BASE
SHIN REST
SEAT REST
HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT
Slender, is made to look thin. The whole design is made in 40 mm diameter, the column where the user's weight is taken.
SLENDER
Parts of the device
SLENDER : POSITIONS
All the different positions the apparatus can achieve.
PERSON FOR SCALE
1. Natural position; 2. Lean inclined @ 5 degree; 3. Seat retracted by force applied in shin rest; 4. Abdomen rest raised
5 DEGREE INCLINED
LEANING SPRING ACTION
spring action to bring back to position
Base
The base is made in to give stability when the user is inclined.
Seating systems
Abdomen support
height adjustment.
When the force is applied in the Shin rest, the collapsable chair opens down.
The direction of the movement
when the force is acting.
Spring-action mechanism for the seat to open, and when released goes back to original
positon.
Prototype
The final designs were CAD modelled, and drawing were created to make the prototype in the workshop
MANUFACTURING FEASIBILITY
The whole parts and subparts were showed to the workshop technician to understand the manufacturability of the parts. The feedbacks of the technicians were taken and incorporated in the final version of the design.
MAKING OF THE
PROTOTYPE
Was able to make the product with the Lab workshop.
As proof of concept, a working prototype at the Alpha level was constructed and tested..
5 Degree self stop with spring
action mechanism.
ACTION 02
Seating system
opens, by pushing
the shin rest.
5 Degree leaning
position to rest.
ACTION 01