What it does
The big challenge in healthcare is that doctors can't be everywhere at once. With Health Shell, health institutions can continuously monitor a patient’s condition in real time. If something’s off, you’ll know instantly and can act fast.
Your inspiration
When I spoke with friends about their time in the hospital, one got stuck in my head. They often weren't allowed to move around on their own. They had to wait for a doctor or nurse to assist them, which was frustrating and disempowering. That's when I thought: What if patients could move more freely, without compromising safety? That’s why I created Health Shell. A solution that gives patients more independence while still allowing doctors to monitor their condition in all the time. If something is off, medical staff are instantly alerted and can respond right away.
How it works
The Health Shell consists of two main components: the back support and the front unit. It’s designed to protect, monitor, and support patients, while allowing doctors to respond quickly in emergencies. On the top left of the front plate, there’s a dedicated port where you can easily plug in any liquid that needs to be administered to the patient. Just below that, there’s an outlet for a IV tubing that can be directly connected to the patient’s vein. In the center of the front unit, an integrated display shows real-time vitals like heart rate and EKG. If the heart rate drops to a dangerous level, a visual alert appears, and the defibrillator pads are now active. Anyone, including doctors, can begin resuscitation immediately. In the case of a critical emergency requiring chest access, a handle at the bottom of the front unit allows for quick removal of the entire front with a single pull. Health Shell provides protection, safety, oversight and freedom.
Design process
I started with the base model inspired by a west, which is used for sports. From there on I tried multiple variations of this model, including an organic shape but for better use, I decided to stay with them whole shell. In some variations, I test it which parts are necessary, if you could digitalize some parts or not, and what parts should be physically. For example, you couldn't do the EKG pads digitally because of if the display has a malfunction the doctors wouldn't be able to revive the patient in time. In such serious situations, something like this can't happen. And some other models, I tried to think about the outlet part, and may be changing the cord and how its coming more or less out but it didn't made much sense.
How it is different
It is reusable and is easily adjustable for all kinds of persons. The health institute has more overview over the patients status and can react faster to upcoming threads. They can prioritize patient's according to the data which is given by the Health Shell. The user has the ability to move freely around the hospital, while his health stats are monitored. The hospital staff can avoid simple tasks like guiding patients to the toilet and can focus on much more important things instead. Because it should be worn since entering the hospital the doctors can see through comparing the data at arrival and the current if the health of the patient has improved over the stay and can say more clearly if it is safe for the patient to return home.
Future plans
Building a full-scale prototype to test functionality and fit in real-world conditions. Pilot testing with patients, focusing on usability, comfort, and medical accuracy. Refine the user interface to ensure that vital data is presented clearly and intuitively for doctors and nurses to understand. (adding something?) Test and redesign the fluid pack system, exploring how it can be easily replaced or reloaded. Potentially by developing a custom container or cartridge. Explore broader applications beyond hospitals. For example, elderly homes or at home.
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