Design research for medical devices in low resource environments

Abstract

Designing portable, affordable, and effective medical devices for underserved areas and populations can improve access to healthcare and improve health outcomes when done well, but can also carry risks when not designed with contexts and constraints in mind. In this paper, we present a design research case study that illustrates how to use a cross-functional approach in order to design medical devices that meet regulatory standards as well as human needs common in resource-constrained settings. The project focuses on an early prototype of a low cost, portable dialysis device being developed for the Indian market. We use this case to argue for the need for deep interdisciplinary expertise across a variety of domains and argue that design research can act as a bridge across disciplines to help reduce risk, inform development advance commercialization efforts, and create products well geared for the unique needs of low resource medical environments - generally, anything outside of well-funded hospitals.