Innovating for Health: My Journey Working on a Healthcare Product

In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the intersection of technology and innovation has the power to revolutionize patient care and improve outcomes. As a passionate designer, I had the privilege of being involved in the development of a groundbreaking healthcare product. In this blog post, I want to share my personal experiences and insights gained while working on this transformative project, from collaborating with OrthoHeal to understand healthcare providers' needs, to immersive hospital visits that built empathy with patients. Here are my experiences.

---

About Orthoheal

OrthoHeal is a leading med-tech startup specializing in orthopedic medical devices. Their mission is to develop innovative solutions for orthopedic patients, focusing on improving the patient experience and addressing specific needs. Their flagship product, FlexiOH®, is a revolutionary orthopedic immobilizer that offers significant advantages over conventional casts. It is breathable, washable, and lightweight, making daily activities easier during the healing process. OrthoHeal’s dedication to patient-centric care and commitment to quality and innovation have earned them recognition from national and international agencies.

I am deeply grateful for my time at OrthoHeal. I interned there for three months in 2017 and another six months in 2018. My experience was nothing short of remarkable. During my initial stint, I contributed to the conceptualization of a long arm cast, leg cast, and other projects—some of which have since become reality. The atmosphere at OrthoHeal fostered personal growth, and during my extended stay for my graduation project, I collaborated with the team to develop a cutting-edge med-tech product. The dedication and passion at OrthoHeal are truly inspiring, and I am thankful for the invaluable learning experience and the chance to contribute to their mission.

Resources

https://ebiodesign.org/

https://www.ideo.org/tools

http://www.designkit.org/ (Site built by IDEO to help us design better)

https://www.pepperl-fuchs.com/ (List and specification of sensors)

Indian anthropometric dimensions for ergonomic design practice (Book)

Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.

-Mary Lou Cook

Some people overlook internships, but mine provided significant skills and growth. I worked on time-bound projects, followed the design process, documented progress, and focused on goal-oriented tasks. Not all experiences are equally rewarding, but my three-month internship in 2017 and six-month internship in 2018 were particularly beneficial.

During my three-month internship, I worked alongside my batchmate, Shaivangi Dalal. We divided various projects between us. Our team initially focused on marketing a short-arm cast, while other concepts were still in development. I designed finger and long-arm casts, while Shaivangi worked on leg casts.

Dr. Pankaj Chhatrala created a supportive environment, understanding that this was our first industry experience. We held regular morning discussions, created paper mockups, conducted surveys, and collected data on human dimensions. Although our approach wasn’t perfect, we verified measurements from reference books and developed a user size chart. We also worked on the form and shape of an innovative concept, developing both a conceptual design and a low-fidelity model. Despite time constraints, this internship taught us valuable lessons about the industry.

Later, the team contacted me about my plans for a graduation project. Since I was just beginning to explore my options, I decided to continue along a familiar path. From July 16th to August 25th, 2018, I focused on one product, following the design process from start to finish.

1. Identifying the Need:

   My experience with OrthoHeal allowed me to witness firsthand the challenges faced by healthcare providers and patients. Hospital visits and interactions with professionals provided critical insights into gaps and opportunities for innovation. Understanding stakeholders’ needs was essential to developing a product that truly addressed their pain points.

   
   

2. Collaborative Development:

   The product development process was highly collaborative. I worked closely with a diverse team—including designers, engineers, and healthcare experts—to bring the product from concept to reality. Leveraging different perspectives and expertise was key to creating an effective solution.

   
   

3. Design Thinking and User Experience:

   We applied design thinking principles and user experience (UX) methodologies throughout development. User research and iterative prototyping allowed us to gather feedback and refine the product based on user needs. For example, we adjusted the cast’s design to make it more intuitive and user-friendly after testing with patients.

   
   

4. Overcoming Challenges:

   We faced several challenges, including technical constraints and regulatory requirements. Through resilience, adaptability, and teamwork, we found innovative solutions and achieved our project milestones.

   
   

5. Impact on Healthcare Delivery:

   The product has positively impacted healthcare delivery and patient experience. Healthcare providers and patients have shared success stories, and we’ve seen measurable improvements in efficiency and patient satisfaction.

   
   

6. Lessons Learned:

   This journey taught me the importance of collaboration, continuous innovation, and understanding the healthcare industry’s unique challenges. It has shaped my perspective on the potential of technology-driven solutions to transform healthcare.

---

Working on a healthcare product has been a significant and rewarding experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to advancements in healthcare and encourage others to explore the intersection of healthcare and innovation.

By sharing my journey with OrthoHeal, engaging with healthcare providers, and building empathy with patients, I hope to inspire others to pursue innovative solutions that can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Above: That’s me using the very product I helped create during my time at OrthoHeal. Being able to experience the result of our collaborative efforts firsthand was both rewarding and inspiring.

---

Hello, This is Sukoshi Nagar. A Multidisciplinary designer. I am willing to share my thoughts on Design and Innovation. Please Subscribe to receive notifications when I post. I am planning to post a blog monthly.