Healthcare Wearable Device: Industrial Design

Client

A Canada-based developer and manufacturer of industrial and MedTech equipment.

Challenge

To provide industrial design services for a healthcare wearable device applied for self-monitoring.

Solution

1. Industrial Design

The client commissioned us for the enclosure design of the device with a ready-made printed circuit board. Therefore, Promwad industrial designers worked with the specified dimensions and arrangement of components. The board involved the following components: display, two buttons, wireless charge, sensors, and LEDs. 

We heeded every single client’s concern about the future enclosure design. First of all, we considered device usage requirements. The device remains in a pocket most of the time and allows for an unlimited number of uses. On average, a user checks the device readings 4 to 10 times a day. 

The required enclosure material is plastic. The surfaces should be preferably glossy. The desired enclosure palette consists of white, gray, black, red, or other colors. The client requested to avoid bright pink.

The customer also shared an example of a reference design particularly enjoyed:

Reference design

 

After gathering the requirements, our industrial designer prepared three design options. In this particular project, we started right away with sketching in the 3D environment. That is because there was no need for 2D sketches through the precise dimensions and components arrangement.

Let’s dive into the peculiarities of each design option.
 

Design option 1

Design option 1. The main idea lies in the variability in the operation modes. We suggested the following ones:

• As a bracelet (with the help of additional silicone cases);
• as a breloque;
• in a pocket or bag.

The front and back sides of the enclosure have a convex spherical surface. There is also a protective round glass, which visually enlarges the display. 

The ring-shaped rubber insert with buttons frames the enclosure perimeter. This option implies a combination of glossy plastic surfaces with matte and soft silicone surfaces. 

Design option 2

Design option 2. The enclosure is round and glossy. Round convex buttons are accentuated by the shape of the front enclosure part. 

We suggested adding a fabric label. This element will help to make the device unique or branded. Besides, it’s a convenient way to carry the device.

Design option 3

Design option 3. On the enclosure bottom, there is an eyelet for hanging the device. The eyelet makes it comfier to use. A wide rubber insert with buttons frames the enclosure. 

For further work, the client chose design option 1 with some changes. We got rid of the variability of use and added the fabric label from design option 2. In this way, a user can wear a device as a breloque.

In the enclosure backside, we placed two sensors and a charging area. The front enclosure side is a multi-piece with a display and two buttons. 

The case is glossy with a matte rubber framing ring. Diverse enclosure materials allow creating a variety of color and texture solutions.

Result

We provided industrial design services according to the client’s requirements. We are planning further cooperation in mechanical design and enclosure manufacturing.