In an effort to "humanize the hospital," design student Alissa Rees developed a wearable that supports intravenous systems called 'IV-Walk.'
The patient-friendly design features a soft fabric that can be worn over the patient's shoulders, offering more mobility than the traditional rigid metal pole. Based on her own personal experiences as a long-term hospital patient, Rees noted that current IV systems greatly restrict a patient's freedom, making trips outside of the room, or to the bathroom incredibly difficult.
The drip pouches are stored within this wearable design -- fluids are then pumped through a tube, and into the hand. With IV-walk patients are granted the opportunity to move more freely, helping individuals walk outside and feel a greater sense of autonomy that's often vital to making a quick recovery.
Wearable IV Systems
Alissa Rees' IV-Walk Enables Patients to Move More Freely
Trend Themes
1. Patient-centric Design - The trend of patient-centric design focuses on creating solutions that prioritize the comfort and mobility of patients, such as Alissa Rees' IV-Walk wearable IV system.
2. Wearable Health Devices - The trend of wearable health devices is revolutionizing the healthcare industry by enabling patients to monitor and manage their health on the go, as exemplified by the IV-Walk wearable IV system.
3. Enhanced Patient Freedom - The trend of enhanced patient freedom aims to empower patients by providing them with tools, like the IV-Walk wearable IV system, that allow them to move more freely and maintain a sense of independence during medical treatments.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - The healthcare industry can benefit from disruptive innovation opportunities by embracing patient-centric design principles and incorporating wearable health devices, such as the IV-Walk, into their systems.
2. Medical Device - The medical device industry has the opportunity to create innovative wearable IV systems, like Alissa Rees' IV-Walk, that improve patient mobility and overall hospital experience.
3. Textile - The textile industry can explore new markets and collaborations by developing soft and flexible fabrics that can be integrated into wearable healthcare devices, like the IV-Walk wearable IV system.