Pill box

keeping daily rituals in mind and ideal for travelling, the designs intend to

reduce the stigmas of taking pills and vitamins in public, taking away any focal 

attention. fluting allows easier grip or palming while a nature derived texture 

contributes additional tactility. accents of aqua blue denote the areas of interactions, 

indicating locations to apply pressure or hold. the eco-friendly BPA free containers

represent high quality manufacturing which may be displayed proudly instead of hidden
within bedside drawers and bathroom cabinets. packaged within folded print papers 

and iconic shapes, the assorted units contain a continuity which produces a pleasing 

appearance on the shelf removing the previous pharmaceutical and medical look
of similar products.

"Sono" Mobile Medical Imaging Device by Hannes Harms

"Sono" is a concept of a mobile and wireless sonography-system, which does not just enable an uncommitted handling of the probe but also enables an unlimited connectivity to installed screens in modern hospitals... the "Sono"-probe becomes a wireless daily diagnosis device and perfectly fits into the doctors' pocket. It is to be seen as the modern stethoscope, since vital functions and heart-beats are precisely to be monitored with modern ultrasound as well.

This way, the doctor doesn't just get an auditive feedback on the patients heartrate, but can directly see a visualization next to the ultrasound image.

The ergonomic handle of the screen device enables the doctor to carry the optional display unit with him or to place it at the patients bed table. Therefor he can use the foldable stand on the backside.

http://vimeo.com/15577185

New oportunity  for people.

Belgian surgeons have used 3D printing to transform the life of an eighty year old woman with a bone infection known as osteomyelitis. The woman (who wished to remain anonymous) had so much damage to her lower jaw bone that it could not be saved. When doctors from BelgianHasselt University Biomed heard about her case, they decided to help her out by creating a customized, 3D printed titanium jaw implant for her. They hoped the printed implant would allow her to lead a normal life by restoring her ability to eat, drink and speak.

In order to successfully build the implant, the woman first underwent an MRI. This gave the surgeons an exact scan to work with and allowed them to develop the plan for a customized implant that would attach to the remaining parts of her jaw. Then,LayerWise fed the plans into a 3D printer which built a new jaw for the woman by fusing titanium powder into the needed shape.

Dr. Peter Mercelis, Managing Director of LayerWise, said the jaw implant took just two days to manufacture. "Technology has the huge advantage that it is perfectly suited to create individualized pieces. You do not need large series of ten-thousands of parts to make it economically feasible and there's a large patient group that could benefit from a personalized implant," Mercelis said.

Current implant technology does not usually involve personalized prosthetics. "Right now the surgeons have to take implants off the shelf and they are only available in a certain number of sizes and they are not tailored to fit the individual patient," Mercelis said. The patient can be on the operating table for almost a full day while the surgeons adjust and readjust the implant until it fits. Being able to walk into surgery knowing that the piece will be a perfect match represents a huge step forward for everyone involved.

Titanium powder

Titanium also has the unique quality of being compatible with our bodies, so when it's used to replace bone structures there is far less risk of rejection than with traditional implant mediums.

Within four hours of her surgery the woman was able to eat, drink and speak; an almost unheard of recovery rate. It can take months until patients who undergo traditional jaw implant surgeries are able to resume normal functions.

According to Professor Ivo Lambrichts of Biomed, the 3D titanium printing process opens up all sorts of possibilities. "We could use the same technique for hip prosthesis or knee prosthesis or elbow prosthesis and also use this technique for a vascular surgery. I mean, to have a new heart valve it could be printed and those printed valves could be co-cultured with cells to have a new heart valve."

Similar research is taking place in laboratories around the world right now; scientists are working hard to apply the advantages of titanium and 3D printing to current medical concerns. In China they have begun human trials on 3D printed titanium spinal inserts and a laboratory in Japan is working with the same technology.

Glam Pack For Blood

The Sweet Donation Bag is an attempt to redesign the blood collection pouch. It features a sleeve with large cut-outs indicating the blood type (A, B, AB & O). The overall design is much more refined than the current bags in use and the packaging looks sturdy. If only the cut-outs would have indicated Type+ or Type- then I guess the impact would have been better. Slicker and tidier to look at; it won’t reduce the needle-prick pain!

Designer: Jihye Lee

Read more at http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/10/01/glam-pack-for-blood/#8fJirvCs9TYMFC4D.99

Prosthetic Limb

Design Council for A&E
Reducing violence and aggression in A&E: Through a better experience is a Design Challenge to improve patient experience and create a calmer and safer environment for A&E staff.

The problem

Violence and aggression towards frontline hospital staff is estimated to cost the NHS at least £69 million a year in staff absence, loss of productivity and additional security. As many as 59,000 physical assaults occur in English NHS hospitals each year, a figure which continues to rise. With over 21 million patients attending A&E departments each year, increasing pressure on A&E departments can lead to negative experiences for both patients and staff. In the complex, high pressure environment of A&E escalating frustrations can be particularly difficult to manage and diffuse.

The insight

Many people become frustrated during their time in A&E because of a lack of clear, effective information and guidance. This, combined with anxiety and pain, reduce people's tolerance levels and make them more likely to behave aggressively toward the staff.

We know designers have what it takes to develop new systems that help reduce violence and aggression in A&E and commissioned a multi-disciplinary design team led by PearsonLloyd to develop solutions.

Our response

Extensive ethnographic research was conducted at three NHS Trusts. Patient journeys through A&E were mapped alongside incidents of violence and aggression. Insights were analysed to understand why patients might become aggressive and what types of patients might be more prone to becoming aggressive.

In response to the research findings the team developed three solutions to improve the experience of both patients and staff, reducing anxiety and promoting a positive hospital culture. 

1. The guidance solution

A comprehensive package of information about the department, waiting times and treatment processes via on-site environmental signage, patient leaflets, and digital platforms.

2. The people solution

A programme of reflective practice designed to better support NHS frontline staff to manage and learn from incidents of violence and aggression.

Visit ABetterAandE.com to find out more about the solutions and how to implement them in your A&E.

3. The A&E toolkit

A package of information and guidance for NHS managers, clinicians, designers and healthcare planners who want to develop and deliver a better service in effective and inspiring environments.

Gipsowe usztywnianie złamań z drukarki 3d

Po wielu wiekach szyn i uciążliwego gipsowania, formy które były swędzące i cuchnącą zmorą milionów osób na świecie, w końcu zostały zaktualizowane. Przy pomocy drukarki 3d gipsowe usztywnienia nie tylko będą wytrzymałe, ale również dobrze wyglądać i co najważniejsze, będzie się można poskrobać gdy zaswędzi.

Wykorzystując druk 3D, Cortex bo tak nazywa się prototyp gipsowego usztywnienia jest w pełni wentylowany, super lekki, higieniczne, podlega recyklingowi i niezłe wygląda (Jedyny minus to problem z malunkami na gipsie)

Jak to działa

Ranny pacjent musi najpierw podobnie jak do tej pory poddać się promieniowaniom rentgenowskim a następnie prostemu skanowaniu 3d. Kończyna jest prześwietlenie w celu identyfikacji urazu i jego dokładnego położenia, a w poniższym przypadku ramię jest wówczas skanowane w 3d w celu jak najbardziej dokładnemu określeniu wymiaru kończyny. Wymiary i dane są następnie wprowadzane do komputera. Specjalne oprogramowanie tworzy model 3D i generuje najlepsze połączenia, tak by optymalnie usztywniało i pomagało w leczeniu złamania.

W kolejnym kroku drukarka wykonuje 2 części odlewu. Po umieszczeniu złamanej kończyny w modelu, drugą cześć zostaje nałożona i przy pomocy specjalnych zatrzasków odpowiednia mocno łączy się. Cortex  jest bardzo cienki, ale ma niezwykle silne połączenia. W przeciwieństwie do gipsowych odlewów pacjent może nadal nosić np. długi rękaw koszuli. Ponadto można brać kąpiel z taka protezą.