Team Members
Colin Garcia
Joseph Jimenez
Sarah Baxter
Aaron Liu
Khant Oak Soe
Joseph Jimenez
Sarah Baxter
Aaron Liu
Khant Oak Soe
Role
- Product Designer
- Content Manager
Purpose
Weekend-long Design Sprint, aimed to serve members in the Rochester Community who are requesting help from local talent. For our team, we were tasked with developing a product to help Medical Assistants at Rochester Regional Health.
Problem
“Current EKG leads get tangled or stuck on a patient. I want to find out if there is a way to create Bluetooth EKG leads so they won't get as tangled and cut down on the set-up time.” -Nicole Joannis, Medical Technician
For context, detangling EKG cords can take between 7-8 minutes, meaning that patients need to wait longer in an already uncomfortable setting, creating more problems for the medical professional as well.
GOAL:
Create a user-friendly EKG lead management system with tangle-resistant leads and efficient storage to drastically reduce setup time for end-users.
ENVIRONMENT
Any medical facility that utilizes an EKG, mostly hospitals, where the patient is getting a reading for their heart palpitations from a variety of factors.
BUSINESS VIABILITY
Projection is based on realistic annual demands of lead
consumption and new acquisitions. Annually, new acquisitions
requiring new leads number about 1620 in the US. If we assume
for other damages and replacements this number could increase
to about 13,878 per year (assuming that there are two full
replacements per hospital per year). The lead system will cost
on average about $300 for all 6 parts.
consumption and new acquisitions. Annually, new acquisitions
requiring new leads number about 1620 in the US. If we assume
for other damages and replacements this number could increase
to about 13,878 per year (assuming that there are two full
replacements per hospital per year). The lead system will cost
on average about $300 for all 6 parts.
TECHNOLOGY FEASIBILITY
Retractable spools
- The release of lead causes it to retract into the spool
- A locking mechanism can lock extended leads preventing premature retraction
- Individual spools are color-coded for organization
- Individual spools can be removed or added enabling greater flexibility for maintenance and fixture
- The release of lead causes it to retract into the spool
- A locking mechanism can lock extended leads preventing premature retraction
- Individual spools are color-coded for organization
- Individual spools can be removed or added enabling greater flexibility for maintenance and fixture
COMPETETIVE BENCHMARKING
DESIGN PROCESS
Our team began to iterate between various proposals on the problem statement. We attempted to redesign an EKG setup to be wireless for a quick and simple setup or a pillow with built-in sensors to increase a patient’s comfort level.
However, we began to learn the limitations of these devices, and although EKGs can be made portable, they are more accurate with a direct connection to the device and maintained more often. So we tightened our scope to the wire management of the device.
This is where we came up with a system that utilizes a series of spools that these wires could be wound up around, and they retract as the user pulls on them. Similar to a dog leash that stops after a certain point and can retract.
However, we began to learn the limitations of these devices, and although EKGs can be made portable, they are more accurate with a direct connection to the device and maintained more often. So we tightened our scope to the wire management of the device.
This is where we came up with a system that utilizes a series of spools that these wires could be wound up around, and they retract as the user pulls on them. Similar to a dog leash that stops after a certain point and can retract.
The next challenge then presented itself: “How do we get the wires to hold in place and possibly avoid fraying the wires?” We then proposed to implement a latching system that would hold the wires in place of the spool.
To minimize the potential of tangling wires, we developed a system where a center beam would hold a series of spools on either side, each within their own container in pairs of two, seeing how an EKG machine is a sequential process and wires end up on opposite sides. The reason why we decided to implement individual spools with an EKG lead on each of them was to not only limit tangling with other wires but to make it a painless process to replace individual spools of wire if one were to prove faulty.
To minimize the potential of tangling wires, we developed a system where a center beam would hold a series of spools on either side, each within their own container in pairs of two, seeing how an EKG machine is a sequential process and wires end up on opposite sides. The reason why we decided to implement individual spools with an EKG lead on each of them was to not only limit tangling with other wires but to make it a painless process to replace individual spools of wire if one were to prove faulty.
FINAL EXPERIMENTAL PROTOYPE
TAKEAWAYS
Engaging in this project not only allowed me to contribute to a product designed for the community but also provided an invaluable experience working alongside a team with diverse skills and perspectives. Learning to effectively communicate within such a dynamic group was a key takeaway. Navigating through varying opinions taught me flexibility and the importance of considering different viewpoints.
The collaborative effort within the team was particularly enlightening. It was not just about pooling our skills but understanding how to synergize them to create something meaningful. Overcoming challenges together reinforced the idea that a cohesive team can transform differing ideas into a cohesive and feasible product. This experience emphasized the power of collective efforts in crafting solutions that genuinely benefit
