Healing Steps
Healing Steps
Healing Steps
Designing a Smart Footwear Ecosystem for Diabetic Foot Care
Designing a Smart Footwear Ecosystem for Diabetic Foot Care
Designing a Smart Footwear Ecosystem for Diabetic Foot Care
Healthtech
Product / Service Design
System Thinking
Overview
Overview
This project develops a comprehensive diabetic foot prevent and manage solution, drawing from personal experiences with my grandmother's diabetic foot complications.
I’ve rethought the entire healthcare experience to make it simpler and more effective, demonstrating my commitment to developing practical solutions for serious health challenges
Drawing from personal experiences with my grandmother's diabetic foot complications
this project develops a comprehensive diabetic foot prevent and manage solution
I’ve rethought the entire healthcare experience to make it simpler and more effective
Duration
Duration
4 weeks, Mar-Apr 2024
4 weeks, Mar-Apr 2024
My Role
My Role
User Researcher, System designer, UI/UX designer
User Researcher, System designer, UI/UX designer
Team
Team
Individual Project
Individual Project
Mentor
Mentor
Professor Hugh Dubberly
Professor
Hugh Dubberly
Professor
Hugh Dubberly
Professor Hugh Dubberly
Design Process
What is diabetes foot？
What is diabetes foot？
Diabetes is a common chronic disease, as it progresses, can lead to severe complications including diabetic foot—one of the three major complications. This condition results in serious foot problems like ulcers and infections, which significantly affect quality of life and mobility due to nerve damage.
Diabetes is a common chronic disease, as it progresses, can lead to severe complications including diabetic foot—one of the three major complications. This condition results in serious foot problems like ulcers and infections, which significantly affect quality of life and mobility due to nerve damage.
15%
15%
15%
Diabetics develop a foot ulcer within their lifetime
Diabetics develop a foot ulcer within their lifetime
up to 70%
up to 70%
up to 70%
Non-traumatic amputations in the world occur in diabetics
Non-traumatic amputations in the world occur in diabetics
What I Want to Solve and Why
What I Want to Solve and Why?
What I Want to Solve and Why?
What I Want to Solve and Why?
This project focuses on exploring the causes of diabetic foot and designing a dynamic system integrated into footwear to prevent and manage complications arising from diabetic foot.
This project was inspired by witnessing my grandmother's worsening diabetic foot symptoms over her 35-year battle with type 2 diabetes. This project is dedicated to her and others facing same challenges
This project focuses on exploring the causes of diabetic foot and designing a dynamic system integrated into footwear to prevent and manage complications arising from diabetic foot.
This project was inspired by witnessing my grandmother's worsening diabetic foot symptoms over her 35-year battle with type 2 diabetes. This project is dedicated to her and others facing same challenges
“What really bugs me is how late-stage diabetic foot makes me lose feeling in my feet. I might not even notice if I get ulcers!” ——My Grandmother
“What really bugs me is how late-stage diabetic foot makes me lose feeling in my feet. I might not even notice if I get ulcers!”
——Grandmother
“What really bugs me is how late-stage diabetic foot makes me lose feeling in my feet. I might not even notice if I get ulcers!”
——Grandmother
Insights from Interviews
Insights from Interviews
Through interviewing four diabetic relatives and friends, including my grandmother, I gained detailed insights into their daily diabetes care and lifestyle habits during 15-minute interviews.
Through interviewing four diabetic relatives and friends, including my grandmother, I gained detailed insights into their daily diabetes care and lifestyle habits during 15-minute interviews.
Importance of Early Detection
Need for early detection of foot complications
Need for early detection of foot complications
Feedback and Monitoring
Necessary for those who already have severe diabetic foot
Necessary for those who already have severe diabetic foot
Personalized Care Needs
Current models of care can't fit the complex symptoms
Current models of care can't fit the complex symptoms
Importance of Early Detection
Need for better education on daily care habits
Need for better education on daily care habits
The current solutions & prior art for diabetics foot
The current solutions & prior art for diabetics foot
The current solutions for treating diabetic foot clearly show that the biggest issue lies in the lack of preventative measures. Currently, people rely only on visual inspection of the skin or must visit a hospital to check the blood flow in their feet.
The current solutions for treating diabetic foot clearly show that the biggest issue lies in the lack of preventative measures. Currently, people rely only on visual inspection of the skin or must visit a hospital to check the blood flow in their feet.
What causes the complications of diabetes？
What causes the complications of diabetes？
From the pathogenesis cycle diagram below, it is evident that due to the malfunctioning of pancreatic cells, diabetic foot is caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels and poor blood circulation.
From the pathogenesis cycle diagram below, it is evident that due to the malfunctioning of pancreatic cells, diabetic foot is caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels and poor blood circulation.
Two key factors in preventing and treating diabetic foot
Two key factors in preventing and treating diabetic foot
Controlling Blood Sugar
Maintaining Foot Blood Circulation
Controlling Blood Sugar
Maintaining Foot Blood Circulation
Temperature is the key to prevention and treatment
Temperature is the key to prevention and treatment
Temperature is the key to prevention and treatment
The primary goal of the project is to ensure smooth blood flow in the feet, making temperature a critical factor in the prevention and treatment of foot-related issues.
The primary goal of the project is to ensure smooth blood flow in the feet, making temperature a critical factor in the prevention and treatment of foot-related issues.
What is User Conceptual Model?
What is User Conceptual Model?
As designers, we often discuss the principle of "user-centered design," but in reality, there is a difference between the way designers think and the way real users think.
In this project I was responsible for system thinking, building the feedback loop and developing the user conceptual model to ensure that design solution effectively addressed the actual problems of users.
As designers, we often discuss the principle of "user-centered design," but in reality, there is a difference between the way designers think and the way real users think.
In this project I was responsible for system thinking, building the feedback loop and developing the user conceptual model to ensure that design solution effectively addressed the actual problems of users.
Feedback Loop
I utilized classic system models from Professor Hugh Dubberly (founder of Dubberly Design Office) to develop a treatment feedback loop and conceptualize a user model.
I utilized classic system models from Professor Hugh Dubberly (founder of Dubberly Design Office) to develop a treatment feedback loop and conceptualize a user model.
Simplify User Conceptual Model
Solution
Smart Footwear Ecosystem
Smart Footwear Ecosystem
My solution integrates high-sensitivity temperature sensors and an embedded heating system within the footwear to monitor and regulate foot temperature.
It also includes feedback mechanisms that alert users to potential issues via a connected mobile app.
My solution integrates high-sensitivity temperature sensors and an embedded heating system within the footwear to monitor and regulate foot temperature.
It also includes feedback mechanisms that alert users to potential issues via a connected mobile app.
Shoes Feature
Shoes Feature
Shoe Sanitization Box
Shoe Sanitization Box
Supported APP
Supported APP
Product Function Details
Functional Ability Test
How it work?
1.
Sensors are located at common complication zone for diabetic foot
1.
Sensors are located at common complication zone for diabetic foot
Sensors are located at common complication zone for diabetic foot
2.
Sensor automatically records the temperature of the feet, generating reports or sent alerts in the app
2.
Sensor automatically records the temperature of the feet, generating reports or sent alerts in the app
Sensor automatically records the temperature of the feet, generating reports or sent alerts in the app
3.
Embedded heating device will activated adjusts the temperature based on feedback,
3.
Embedded heating device will activated adjusts the temperature based on feedback,
Embedded heating device will activated adjusts the temperature based on feedback,
App Design
This user-centered app, designed for diabetic foot prevention and treatment, connects directly with specialized footwear to provide visual data monitoring, allowing users to track the progression of complications in real time, complete with an alert feedback system that creates a practical and effective loop for managing health.
This user-centered app, designed for diabetic foot prevention and treatment, connects directly with specialized footwear to provide visual data monitoring, allowing users to track the progression of complications in real time, complete with an alert feedback system that creates a practical and effective loop for managing health.
01. Check Shoes Status
01. Check Shoes Status
02. Connect to Shoes
Display the initial user connection scenario.
No need to connect every time
Linked instructions
02. Connect to Shoes
Display the initial user connection scenario.
No need to connect every time
Linked instructions
03. User Experience
The sensor automatically records the temperature of the feet
Abnormal temperature will be notified to check
Manually adjust the temperature via the app
03. User Experience
The sensor automatically records the temperature of the feet
Abnormal temperature will be notified to check
Manually adjust the temperature via the app
04. Sanitize the shoes
UV ray could also product ozone,
Ozone have the function as sanitize
04. Sanitize the shoes
UV ray could also product ozone,
Ozone have the function as sanitize
01. check shoes status
Grandmom wear the shoes
Check the shoes’ status
02. Connect to Shoes
Display the initial user connection scenario.
No need to connect every time
Linked instructions
Display the initial user connection scenario.
No need to connect every time
Linked instructions
Display the initial user connection scenario.
No need to connect every time
Linked instructions
03. User Experience
The sensor automatically records the temperature of the feet
Abnormal temperature will be notified to check
Manually adjust the temperature via the app
The sensor automatically records the temperature of the feet
Abnormal temperature will be notified to check
Manually adjust the temperature via the app
The sensor automatically records the temperature of the feet
Abnormal temperature will be notified to check
Manually adjust the temperature via the app
04. Sanitize the shoes
UV ray could also product ozone,
Ozone have the function as sanitize
UV ray could also product ozone,
Ozone have the function as sanitize
UV ray could also product ozone,
Ozone have the function as sanitize
Go home, check the condition of your feet, disinfect your shoes
Key Learning
The Power of Systems Thinking in Product Design
The Power of Systems Thinking in Product Design
Systems thinking has profoundly influenced my approach to design, like the feedback loop used in this project, shifting my focus from isolated features to interconnected systems within a product
By analyzing the purpose, sensors, actions, and significant variables collectively, this model offers a comprehensive understanding and facilitating quicker of a product's functionalities and interactions.
Systems thinking has profoundly influenced my approach to design, like the feedback loop used in this project, shifting my focus from isolated features to interconnected systems within a product
By analyzing the purpose, sensors, actions, and significant variables collectively, this model offers a comprehensive understanding and facilitating quicker of a product's functionalities and interactions.
The Critical Role of User Conceptual Models
The user conceptual model proves invaluable when starting a design with no clear direction.
It clarifies the design logic, allowing for structured thinking.
Although the model grows more complex and requires continuous revisions, these iterative processes refine and enhance the design, leading to more effective outcomes.
The user conceptual model proves invaluable when starting a design with no clear direction.
It clarifies the design logic, allowing for structured thinking.
Although the model grows more complex and requires continuous revisions, these iterative processes refine and enhance the design, leading to more effective outcomes.
Never far away
let’s connect!
Drop a text +1 415-990-8361
Never far away
let’s connect!
Drop a text +1 415-990-8361
Never far away
let’s connect!
Drop a text +1 415-990-8361