Feedback on design concepts

[ben__jammin]

My design concept for a new dialysis machine is half way there I have the technology sorted, so now I can start the real on the bit that matters most, how you use the machine. If it is possible I’ve listed four concepts and would value your input into which concept you would like to see developed and just a sort reason why. I've written a short description of a life style that may use the concept but it's just to give you an idea.

Concept One:
Static dialysis: I find I have the time for my treatment without it effecting my day. At some point in the day I have time to be still for a long period of time (Could be nocturnal). There is always someone at hand to fetch me bits and pieces when I need them or help me if I have a problem.

Concept Two:
Pick up and go: I find I can make time for my treatment, but I often have many distractions. I often get people calling round so I have to get up and answer the door. I often get uncomfortable sitting still for long periods of time, so being able to get up to stretch my legs for a short periods of time makes my treatment more comfortable.

I make time for my treatment at night, my partner works hard and a good nights sleep is vital to them. Are youngest child is often gets up in the night and I am the one to sort them out . Pick up and go means I don’t have to disconnect from the machine and allows me to take them back to bed without disturbing my partner.

Concept Three:
My daily schedule is somewhat unpredictable. I like my treatment to revolve around me and fit into whatever I’m doing at that moment. Sometimes I find I have the time to be able to sit down and relax while I have treatment but other times I find myself with things to do. I value my independents and dislike being waited on hand and foot so being able to do small tasks such as carrying in a tray of drinks to friends and family while I’m having my treatment is important to me.

Concept Four:
Up and about: As a house wife having treatment is really inconvenient on my daily routine. I find I’m forever juggling family, housework and other commitments. I am forever on my feet and never find time to sit down long enough for a complete treatment. Up and about means I can undergo my treatment with the minimum amount of disruption to my day. I can stay on my feet doing housework and have even been able to walk and pick the kids up from school.

[Lisa]

 


Great concepts, but remember...the easier and more convenient they are the hard it will be to get insurance to cover them!!!!!

[jbeany]

NxStage already has the first concept covered.  The patient stuck in the chair is what we'd all like to avoid.  Being able to get up and move around would be fabulous.  A machine small enough to carry around the house would be great.  Not sure leaving the house would be practical, though, until and unless you can figure out how to adjust the treatment so that blood pressure drops and dizzy spells don't ever happen.  I certainly wouldn't think being able to drive while doing dialysis is going to be practical!  (Can you imagine how much insurance coverage would cost for a dialysis driver?)

[Rerun]

Sounds like you "need" an excuse to sit down for a while.

                       

[Stoday]

Concept 3 would be best to minimise the impact of hemodialysis on me.

Those who can choose continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis could achieve the same objective; I don't have that choice.

[ben__jammin]

Great concepts, but remember...the easier and more convenient they are the hard it will be to get insurance to cover them!!!!!

How does that work? Sorry i'm from the uk so medical insurance really isn't a problem, you would have thought the easier and more convenient they are the less mistakes that happen etc...

Thanks for the feedback. i'll keep posting my progress for those interested & let you know what i come up with

[KICKSTART]

Good to know you are in the UK , it would be great if you could invent a concept that would also wash up , hoover , iron for me as well !  On a more serious note i dont think any of your concepts would ever be approved mainly because ..has anyone tried walking round? , actually doing things while on hemo? How would you approach the placement of needles? I mean they like you to if possible lie back and keep that arm still. Also with the sudden onset in blood pressure dropping how safe would it be , to be mobile at this time ?

[Stoday]

Hey Kickstart — don't pour cold water on ben jammin. It's design concept stage, so the solution to details have to follow. Without a concept it's not possible to know what problems have to be overcome.

There doesn't seem to be a problem walking around if you have CAPD, so in principle, it should be possible to overcome the problem for hemo. No one has tried to sort that yet because there's been no requirement. Moreover, if you assumed the concept impossible, there never would be a requirement.

Maybe flexible needles would be possible to allow arm movements. Maybe the pump could accommodate changes of blood pressure. Without a need to find a solution to these problems, no one will even start to look for one.

[ben__jammin]

..has anyone tried walking round? , actually doing things while on hemo? How would you approach the placement of needles? I mean they like you to if possible lie back and keep that arm still. Also with the sudden onset in blood pressure dropping how safe would it be , to be mobile at this time ?

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/120736264/PDFSTART
they have tried it, here's a link if you want to know more, basically in one study the patient was able to walk to a nearby park while still being treated, but the needles where in the chest (what ever the term is for that placement).
Thanks for the feedback Stoday interesting points will look into them.

[KICKSTART]

Hey Stoday , no i dont mean to pour cold water on the concept , its just that those things would need addressing , hell im all for something that would give me the same freedom that PD did ! But i think renal docs are a bit like dinosaurs if it works ..dont change it. I dont think for one minute they would like the concept of us moving about ! I have enough trouble sitting up , without someone commenting! Besides that i think we would all go for it , so how many staff would be out of a job ? Ive always said . all the advancement of the machines and yet no one has come up with a replacement for sticking two needles in your arm, now if someone could find an alternative to that , i would be impressed ! I find with all the advancement , that is sooooooo primitive !