Overview
Blink explores how to empower users to be more proactive in their health rather than being reactive. The result is a smart device used at home to measure vital signs and perform basic medical tests by guiding the user. It enhances communication by sharing results with a physician and family members.
Role: UX Designer
Thesis Project: Research & Design
Duration: 2016 - 4 months
Problem Statement
Nowadays, the diagnosis process is extremely painful for both patients' and physicians' point of view. As the number of skilled healthcare workers decreases, patients spend more time, energy, and money on their healthcare. As a result, they become more reactive and prefer not to be involved in the healthcare system unless they extremely need it. The original impetus for the idea was to empower the user to be more proactive about his health rather than being reactive.
"How might we empower users to be more proactive on his health?"
Research
In recent years, technological advancements and increased connectivity have brought about a number of new trends in health monitoring systems. A shift towards accurate and intuitive tests that can be operated by patients has been noticed. During my secondary research, I came across the term "point-of-care testing" (POCT), also known as bedside testing, which is defined as medical diagnostic testing at or near the point of care, i.e., at the time and place of patient care.
For my primary research, I had the opportunity to speak with physicians and biochemists to discuss my project aim and receive their feedback. I visited biochemical laboratories in hospitals in Ankara to determine the best vitals that could be used for home tests. I created an accurate scenario and narrowed down my target group to include elders, large families, babies, and people with chronic diseases. I combined the information from my secondary research with the advice and feedback from physicians to accomplish these steps.
Persona
During the process of creating a persona, I had a conversation with a family who had a member (father) recovering from heart surgery. This helped me refine my statement to "enhancing diagnosis or recovery process by collecting a sample and providing instant feedback to save time, money, and energy for patients." I looked for alternative solutions to improve communication between patients and physicians, which would result in faster and more convenient experiences for both parties. With Blink, patients can be more connected with their families and healthcare providers, leading to a decrease in the overall cost of care and an increase in patient satisfaction.
Hardware Design Execution
Considering the target audience and environmental conditions for the design, several factors influenced the distinctive language of the product design. These included reliability, accuracy, transparency, ruggedness, portability/compactness, and user-friendliness. One of the design challenges was to determine the key elements of the product and organize them in a way that was both accessible and compact. The main concerns were hygiene, guidance, and communication. The device needed to be suitable for home use and assist the user throughout its operation. The design process began with brainstorming and sketching and continued with prototyping.
Features & Technology
Blink is based on before and after comparisons and time-based tests that can be easily analyzed by visual samples. The features were defined based on secondary & primary research including feedback from physicans & patients. These vital signs and basic test are commonly used for during the diagnosing and recovery process or even for regular checkups. Through its straightforward, compact design, Blink measures blood pressure, body temperature and can be used to perform blood, urine and saliva tests.
Urine test cartridge has 8 color strip reagents for urine sample that are: bilirubin, ketone, nitrites, keratin, glucose, protein, microalbumin & urobilinogen.
CBC test lancing uses a blood sample which to test WBC, RBC, MCV, MCH, MPV, PLT, RDW-CW, MCHC, Hemotrocit, Hemoglobin.
Saliva test cartridge includes 3 color strip indicators for PH level of saliva sample.
Viscoelastic Focusing (VEF): VEF can be adjusted to different particles and specific particle distributions by an appropriate choice of fluid components.
Spot Infrared Thermometer: Measures the temperature at a spot on a surface (actually a relatively small area determined by the ratio.
Oral Fluid Urinalysis Testing: Semi automated urine chemistry analyzing from the urine color with dry urinee strips. Oral fluid analysis with sample from saliva of mouth.
Features & Technology
Blink is based on before and after comparisons and time-based tests that can be easily analyzed by visual samples. The features were defined based on secondary & primary research including feedback from physicans & patients. These vital signs and basic test are commonly used for during the diagnosing and recovery process or even for regular checkups. Through its straightforward, compact design, Blink measures blood pressure, body temperature and can be used to perform blood, urine and saliva tests.
Urine test cartridge has 8 color strip reagents for urine sample that are: bilirubin, ketone, nitrites, keratin, glucose, protein, microalbumin & urobilinogen.
CBC test lancing uses a blood sample which to test WBC, RBC, MCV, MCH, MPV, PLT, RDW-CW, MCHC, Hemotrocit, Hemoglobin.
Saliva test cartridge includes 3 color strip indicators for PH level of saliva sample.
Viscoelastic Focusing (VEF): VEF can be adjusted to different particles and specific particle distributions by an appropriate choice of fluid components.
Spot Infrared Thermometer: Measures the temperature at a spot on a surface (actually a relatively small area determined by the ratio.
Oral Fluid Urinalysis Testing: Semi automated urine chemistry analyzing from the urine color with dry urinee strips. Oral fluid analysis with sample from saliva of mouth.
Features & Technology
Blink is based on before and after comparisons and time-based tests that can be easily analyzed by visual samples. The features were defined based on secondary & primary research including feedback from physicans & patients. These vital signs and basic test are commonly used for during the diagnosing and recovery process or even for regular checkups. Through its straightforward, compact design, Blink measures blood pressure, body temperature and can be used to perform blood, urine and saliva tests.
Urine test cartridge has 8 color strip reagents for urine sample that are: bilirubin, ketone, nitrites, keratin, glucose, protein, microalbumin & urobilinogen.
CBC test lancing uses a blood sample which to test WBC, RBC, MCV, MCH, MPV, PLT, RDW-CW, MCHC, Hemotrocit, Hemoglobin.
Saliva test cartridge includes 3 color strip indicators for PH level of saliva sample.
Viscoelastic Focusing (VEF): VEF can be adjusted to different particles and specific particle distributions by an appropriate choice of fluid components.
Spot Infrared Thermometer: Measures the temperature at a spot on a surface (actually a relatively small area determined by the ratio.
Oral Fluid Urinalysis Testing: Semi automated urine chemistry analyzing from the urine color with dry urinee strips. Oral fluid analysis with sample from saliva of mouth.
User Interface
To ensure an enhanced user experience, the product design process was followed by the user interface design process for Blink, a unique and intelligent medical device. The interface needed to be clear, directive, and user-friendly. To achieve this, I put myself in the shoes of the patients and went through the details of various use cases that Blink provides. This helped me to create user flows and basic wireframes. After improving the high-fidelity prototype based on user feedback, I conducted user testing interviews with seven potential users, including two physicians, three patients, and two caregivers. Their feedback on content, interaction, and visual design helped me finalize the UI design.
Mobile Application
This new health tracker solution allows users to communicate directly with their physicians and family members. Patients can access their Blink device whenever they need to, or they can use the Blink+ app on their smartphones. This app not only helps them keep track of upcoming tests and results, but also allows them to communicate with others. Family members can also use the app by creating a caregiver profile, enabling them to stay up-to-date on their loved one's health.
Overview
Blink explores how to empower users to be more proactive in their health rather than being reactive. The result is a smart device used at home to measure vital signs and perform basic medical tests by guiding the user. It enhances communication by sharing results with a physician and family members.
Mobile Application
This new health tracker solution allows users to communicate directly with their physicians and family members. Patients can access their Blink device whenever they need to, or they can use the Blink+ app on their smartphones. This app not only helps them keep track of upcoming tests and results, but also allows them to communicate with others. Family members can also use the app by creating a caregiver profile, enabling them to stay up-to-date on their loved one's health.
Blink empowers users to be more proactive on their health & wellbeing.
Blink saves money, time, and effort for both patients and caregivers.
Integrated communication between caregivers, patients, and family members.
Blink empowers users to be more proactive on their health & wellbeing.
Blink saves money, time, and effort for both patients and caregivers.
Integrated communication between caregivers, patients, and family members.
Considering the laws and regulations in the healthcare system. That was challenging while defining the features of the concept and while having interviews with physicians.
Working on both the hardware and software part of an overall experience was challenging due to timeline.
I'd focus on enhancing the experience of caregivers (family members) and physicians to fill the gaps in the systematic concept that I've created.
Considering the usage cases, voice interaction would guide the user (especially the elderly) in the easiest way. I'd include VA as a next step.
Blink empowers users to be more proactive on their health & wellbeing.
Blink saves money, time, and effort for both patients and caregivers.
Integrated communication between caregivers, patients, and family members.
Considering the laws and regulations in the healthcare system. That was challenging while defining the features of the concept and while having interviews with physicians.
Working on both the hardware and software part of an overall experience was challenging due to timeline.
I'd focus on enhancing the experience of caregivers (family members) and physicians to fill the gaps in the systematic concept that I've created.
Considering the usage cases, voice interaction would guide the user (especially the elderly) in the easiest way. I'd include VA as a next step.
Role: UX Designer
Thesis Project: Research & Design
Duration: 2016 - 4 months
Overview
Blink explores how to empower users to be more proactive in their health rather than being reactive. The result is a smart device used at home to measure vital signs and perform basic medical tests by guiding the user. It enhances communication by sharing results with a physician and family members.
Role: UX Designer
Thesis Project: Research & Design
Duration: 2016 - 4 months
