IontoBuddy

IontoBuddy

This is the problem...

IontoBuddy

Negative encounters with needles at an early age can lead to a needle phobia or a general mistrust of physicians, severely impacting an individual’s health experiences. My target group is between ages 5 and 13.

Simple Flu ShotTerrorAttempt to Comfort

But this is not the solution.

Ambiguous Knobs

Small, Difficult to Read Display

Unfriendly Form

Appears Similar to Electrical Equipment

Ignores Patient Anxiety

Primary Research

Student Survey Results

0% 100%50%

Question 3

In the same survey, 50 participants were asked if they would use a needle free numbing method before the needle procedure.

Yes No

*This age group might seem too old compared to the target group, however their answers show that a fear of needles never fully dissapates, and that anxiety before a needle procedure affects all ages.

Nurse Survey Results

Three practicing nurses were asked if they had ever had a young patient (5-13) describe themselves as needle phobic.

None AllMost

0% 100%50%In the same survey, 50 participants were if they have had a negative experience with a blood draw, IV, or Injection.

Yes No

Question 2

0% 100%50%

Felt Anxious Felt No AnxietyIn an online survey, 50 participants aged 18-22* were asked if they felt anxious before a needle procedure.

Question 1

Question 1

The same nurses were asked if they had ever used a lidocaine iontophoresis unit.

AllNone Most

Question 2

AlwaysNever Maybe

Question 3

The same nurses were asked if they ever did anything to ease patient pain, stress, and anxiety.

Blank survey pages were given to nine participants separately, age 20-22, who were asked to use words, images, and/or colors to represent things they found scary, fun, and comforting. The surveys responses with the strongest, most obvious correlations are placed at the top. Several similarities are evident.

Fun ScaryComforting

Blank Survey Results

Loosens the muscles and relaxes them prior to injection. Does not prevent pain, may help with patient anxiety and stress.

Vasovagal Reactions A rapid increase and sudden decrease in blood pressure results in loss of consciousness before or after a needle procedure.

Avoidance of Medical Care Ignoring a patient’s fear of needles can lead to a general mistrust of medical personnel and reluctance to obtain medical care.

Anxiety and StressResults from an unpleasant series of medical visits. Suffers from needle phobia.

Dangers of Needle PhobiaWho Is Needle Phobic?

Needle Phobia and Treatment

EMLA Cream IceDistraction Muscle Massage

Effective Ineffective

Stands for Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics. Very effective, but takes up to two hours to fully numb the area of injection. Is also messy, requires the user to bandage it on in large quantities. Can cause the veins to constrict, making IV placement difficult.

Does nothing to prevent pain, but keeps the patient from noticing it as much. Can also keep a patient calm and collected.

Can numb the skin, but sometimes causes it to hurt from extreme cold. Also causes the veins to constrict, making IV placement difficult.

Case 1

In testing, 29 participants were treated with lidocaine iontophoresis before receiving their shots.

Felt no Pain Felt Slight Pain Felt Moderate Pain

0% 100%50%

Case 2

0% 100%50%In testing, the other 29 participants were treated with a placebo before receiving their shots.

Felt no Pain Felt Slight Pain Felt Moderate Pain

Felt Severe Pain

Introducing Lidocaine Iontophoresis (LI)

Confusing ControlsUnfriendly Color Scheme

Tangling Wires, Intimidating Clamps

Current Market

SkinInjection Site

Active ConnectionPassive Connection

Current Direction

Patch

1 Place Patch

2 Connect Wire 3 Connect To Power Supply

4 Begin TreatmentLidocaine(Skin Side)

How It Works

Lidocaine Iontophoresis (LI) is an existing treatment that uses a mild electrical current to push a small amount of lidocaine into the skin, numbing it. The process takes about ten minutes and lasts up to an hour. It is a painless procedure that occurs at the injection site before the injection and is administered without a needle.

Ideation

Creature Cloud

Why Creatures?After working with many different form families, faces, and expressions, it was determined that an animalistic form would best relate to the target age group of 5-13. Most kids have a favorite stuffed animal, and retain fond memories of them into adulthood.

Friendly, Rounded Form

Huggable Size

Simple Manufacture

Multiple Color Options

[Huggable size and shape, about the size of a soccer ball. Easy for children to grasp and squeeze.]

Modeling

Detachable TailClean Parting Line Squishy Texture

Appropriate Size for Ages 5-13Light, Mostly HollowSmooth, Easy to Clean Surface

Assembly

Patch

Snap Connection Attaches Patch and Channels Current During Treatment

Side BackCharge/Plug Port

Hidden Button

8.25”

8.00”

Battery Pack

Soft Textured Silicone

LED’s

Activate Procedure

Plug

Tail

Press Down

Calmed, Gets Shot and Takes Buddy Home

Extreme Reluctance Right Before Shot

Bring in Buddy

[66% felt anxious or nervous before a needle procedure. 72% would use a needle free way to

numb the area beforehand.]

Internet Order

=

BILL TO:

INSURANCE

NO!

=

BILL TO:

INSURANCE

Recommended by Doctor Before Next Shot Appointment

=

BILL TO:

INSURANCE

[Some iontophoresis units cost between $250-$400. This may prevent patients

from purchasing a personal unit.]

How to Acquire

Patient Has Doctor Has

Buddy Charger

Charge before appointment.

[Other units are either disposable after a finite number of uses or

battery powered, adding to waste.]

Tail Patch

Plugs into charge outlet.Delivers mild current from

internal battery pack.

[Prevents child from self treatment.]

Patient and Doctor

This stage forms a bond of comfort and security between buddy and child. The memory of buddy keeping the child safe in the dark will be there for comfort and support during the appointment.

Press Down

At Home

Lights from beginning of procedure to end to provide comfort and distraction.

END

At the Doctor’s

Begin Treatment Administer ShotWait 10 Minutes

[1 in 3 nurses report a patient wanting to hold a parent’s hand for comfort]

[Methods of distraction are most popular for easing patient anxiety]

[Numbing effects will last for approximately one hour, if multiple injections are needed]

Arrive at Office Nurse Applies Lidocaine Patch Attach Tail

Making the Visit Successful

With friendly features, a cuddly soft blanket and huggable body, Iontobuddy is a child’s best bet when in need of comfort in an intimidating situation. LED’s provide security in the dark as well as healthy distraction in the doctor’s office. The simple controls and easily readable indicator lights make Iontobuddy ideal for hospitals and pediatrics offices. Bridging the gap between modern iontophoresis units and patient care, Iontobuddy offers pain and anxiety relief before, and during, a needle procedure.