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Indian Design Patent- 287986 

By providing high irradiance in an enclosed space, this phototherapy unit aims to treat neonatal jaundice effectively, especially in rural areas of India.

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BACKGROUND
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Project Type​

Product Design

Design Research

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Role

User Research

Concept Design

Prototype Design

Prototype Testing

Patent Filing​

Year

06 Months

(2016-17)

Background/Problem identification

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FIELD INTERVIEWS

Field Interviews and Validating the problem

Field interviews were conducted with the doctors in Kanpur, India to identify the problem with the existing phototherapy unit
 

  • The present phototherapy devices are not portable

  • Problem of dehydration due to CFL bulbs

  • Mothers can’t breastfeed the baby

  • High cost/sitting and can’t be used in rural India

  • Machine captures a lot of space

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Competitive Analysis

The existing phototherapy devices were benchmarked before ideating. We could find only Firefly device developed by IDEO to be the best amongst all the available products due to its portability.

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COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

Insights from the research conducted

Factors influencing the the treatment

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Wavelength of light (usually 400-550nm).

Irradiance or intensity of the light.

Body surface area of the neaonate.

Duration of Exposure.

Source to patient distance.


 

INSIGHTS FROM RESEARCH
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Research Question

How might we design a cost-effective and portable phototherapy unit that can be used in Rural India? 

RESEARCH QUESTION
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For whom we are designing the product?

Rural hospitals, nursing staff, doctors, clinics and parents who cannot afford high sitting charges of their neonates for the therapy.

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Who are our end users?

Newborn babies suffering from jaundice.

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Where the product will be used?

Rural hospitals, Clinics, maybe home.

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How this product will be used?

It will be a portable device and can be assembled and dissembled as per the convenience and usage. This product will work on solar, AC and DC supply.

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Ideation

Several concepts were ideated based on the brainstorming session. The third concept was finalized based on the pros over the other concepts.

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IDEATION

Rationale to choose this design

Use of reflectors on the top and bottom panel. 

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Use of less LED, resulting in less power consumption.

Consumes 25W/5Amps/12v and can also run on the solar panel.

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Use of enclosed space prevents the light dispersion resulting in better treatment with better irradiance.

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Compact & Portable (top panel can be folded). The whole unit can be easily transferred to the Rural India.
 

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Developing a Low Fidelity Prototype 

The low fidelity prototype was taken to the hospital to get feedback from the doctors. After the green signal, we decided to go for the final prototype development. 

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DEV LOW FIDELITY PROTOTYPE

Final prototype specification before the development

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Final Prototype Development

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FINAL PROTOTYPE

The working Prototype

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The intensity of the photons was obtained at 5 random points by using a Photo-sensor.

Instrument: Newport Optical Power Energy meter
Model number: 842/PE

Testing of the prototype (not user testing)

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TESTING OF PROTOTYPE

Novelty of the Prototype

NOVELTY OF PROTOTYPE
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Easy to carry (light weight as compared to the existing bulky design)

Top Hut shaped Lid can be adjusted according to the requirement of the treatment

Top Hut shapes lid can be folded on two parts

Use of reflectors for more irradiance

Use of Solar Panel for the usage in Rural areas without electricity

No complicated mechanism, one switch interface (one button to switch the machine on or off)

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