STEPHANIE LUDWIG
UX and Strategy for AI/ML-led Products • Conversation Designer
Jacob
Medical devices are amazing, but the science stops at the mechanics
ROLE: Research, Design, Construction
I design and sew elaborate dance costumes, but I also have made medical-related items, including designing a reusable face mask for people with limited arm mobility. My friend asked me to help his best friend's son, was not only faced with an unimaginable illness, had a tote around a heavy a device to manage his condition. Because his condition is one that typically affects 60+ year old men, there aren't kid friendly options available for managing the 7 pound device, which he is hooked up to 24/7.
The vision was to make a newly imagined way to carry a life-supporting LVAD device specifically
for a child.
Considerations:
The device is 3 pieces, has a port in his abdomen and weighs over 7 pounds.
Available bags are designed for non-active adults.
Available bags don’t consider how most people interact with the device.
Jacob is a 12 year old with a heart condition that required a device, called an LVAD, to keep his heart functioning. It consists of a pumping/oxiginating machine and two batteries. I met Jacob and talked with him about his need and wants for his new bag. He shared with me what he hated about the current carrier. I sketched, made outlines and measurements, then went home to study what the world bags and backpacks.
Process
My initial ideas were very quickly proven to not be suitable. But lots of research, sketches, prototypes, and feedback from Jacob got us to a working prototype he liked.
Final backpack. Features included a window to monitor the device function, straps that can be tightened for active play, personalized fabric choice 😀, snack and drink pockets and supportive padding on the back. The base fabric is also waterproof. When I delivered it, he put it on, tightened it up, and said, "Wow, I can run in this!"
