Sleep Apnea Monitor

Client | Somnarus

Year | 2016

Sector | Medical devices, wearable technology

A single-use sleep apnea monitor designed to track user sleep data and store it on an memory card for physician analysis and evaluation.

The Brief

Somnarus, a medical startup, required a design for their sleep apnea wearable that would meet end-user expectations for comfort and ease-of-use. Additionally, it needed to be user-friendly for doctors and reasonably priced for manufacturing.

Solution

With the goal of one-size-fits-all usage, we started our design discovery work by building functional prototypes to test on clay models and human subjects. Through numerous iterations, we developed a range of different shapes and tested them with various adhesives on multiple face topologies. This process allowed us to discover a universal shape that provides comfortable fit for all users. The monitor is used in two ways: first by the patient at home and then by the doctor. Every element of the form has a functional or instructional reason to clearly communicate how to use it the right way. For example, the landscape orientation with small ridges on both sides informs the patient where to hold the module with both hands when attaching it on the forehead. These same markings are the guideline for the doctor to know where to cut open the module to access the internal SD card with the collected data, without damaging it during the cut.

Services

design research

ideation

innovation

ergonomics

user-centered design

prototyping

product testing

3D CAD modeling

photorealistic rendering

design presentation