User-centric design for mobility aide
Services
- Design engineering
- Ergonomic design
- Rapid prototyping
- User experience (UX) analysis
- Functional prototyping
- Concept generation
Sector
- medical
Parkinson's disease affects the internal motor control pathways in the brain, particularly those controlling automatic movement and can cause people with Parkinson’s to experience gait-freezing, an involuntary and sudden inability to walk.
GaitQ is a spin-out developing a smart, wearable device aimed at restoring mobility in people with Parkinson's through overcoming gait-freeze by providing an external stimulus (cueing) to move when a freeze is detected.
OPD was commissioned to help gaitQ prove the technology and address the very challenging usability requirements in this area. A sensitive condition like Parkinson’s requires a user-centred approach to design, rather than technology-centred.
The new wearable seems like an unnatural thing to use - watches are worn on wrists, not on the lower leg, where this device needs to be worn. Users need to be convinced that it is worth putting it on.
The device needs to be discreet, requiring condensed sensor technology, a minimised case and as low-profile attachment as possible.
The device and attachment method were developed in parallel.
Device
We conducted lots of work to understand users, including those who aren’t technology literate or confident.
A cloud compatible architecture means that data can be interrogated by a support network (carers, etc.) rather than by individual users. Feedback is provided to HCPs to manage the condition and share progression. This reduces the need to see clinicians to only once every 12 months on average – they can provide data and feedback for pro-active management on a year’s worth of data.
Attachment
Ideas around bonding to the skin, using medical grade adhesives were ruled out early due to sensitivity and discomfort.
The focus shifted to something that is easy to put on, stable once attached and easy to adjust and remove as required. Not a straightforward challenge when users have dexterity and mobility challenges.
OPD worked with gaitQ to develop early design concepts and prototypes that were rapidly built, tested and iterated to understand the best form factor and fit.
A balance was struck: not too tight for comfort, but avoiding wobbling that could be interpreted as a step cue, or cause web connectivity issues.
An appropriate transfer of vibration was reached – challenging, as the back of the lower leg is particularly insensitive to stimulation.
We worked with suppliers and sourced different materials before creating a bespoke laminate of fabrics to provide the right fitting profile, and elasticity required for comfortable long-term use. Rapid in-house experimentation, laser cutting, heat press and fabric screening let us optimise before transferring the design to an external supplier to manufacture at scale.
Both work streams involved navigating complex standards and ethics regulations. Verification and validation of this type of device is challenging.
OPD supported gaitQ so that they could make their first batch of alpha units for clinical studies and user trials with early adopters in 6-12 months.
Our work unlocked the vision and added value to the product. Data collected using the new system accurately reflects the episodes of gait symptoms and walking quality over time to track disease progression.