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.

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.

Process

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.

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.

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.

Jacob and his bag. When I delivered it, he put it on, tightened it up, and said, "Wow, I can run in this!"

Conclusion: The backpack provided Jacob with the freedom to play, had features that made managing device easier, and to feel like a regular kid with something that was actually cool. He only used the backpack for 3 months — because he got his new heart! 😍

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