G-WATCH [PAINLESS GLUCOSE MONITOR]

G-WATCH [PAINLESS GLUCOSE MONITOR]

I. Overview For so long glucose monitors have been kept within a realm that isn t encouraging to those new to the disease that they can take care of themselves in an easy and unthreatening manner. Normal glucose monitors require multiple components, forcing the user to take extra time to register something pertinent to their health. Also due to the fact that there are multiple components they come in a kit that isn t always the most convenient or practical, though for a diabetic it s purely a necessity, to carry around. Finally, today s glucose monitors require the user to draw blood by physically puncturing themselves. As a new diabetic, especially a child suffering from Juvenile Diabetes, trying to associate the physical pain of pricking your finger with the idea of keeping yourself healthy isn t something readily recognized. Though with time they may be able to outgrow the pain associated with pricking their finger, at first doing it may be something they dread and try to avoid at all costs. However, what if there was a new type of glucose monitor designed specifically for children suffering from Juvenile or Type 1 Diabetes that helps show them that the process of learning how to take care of themselves doesn t have to be scary or confusing? This device is known as the G-Watch, a painless and wearable glucose monitoring system that rewards diabetic children for consistently taking care of themselves. Encouraging them to keep on top of monitoring their own health, and ensuring that they never have to go through a situation where their glucose level could put them in danger. Page 2 of 12

II. Goals The G-Watch is a painless monitoring system intended for children and teenagers suffering from Juvenile Diabetes to help get them into the habit of learning how to take care of themselves. Whether they are newly diagnosed or have been for awhile and need a little more encouragement in staying in a good habit of monitoring their glucose levels, the G-Watch is designed for both in mind. The main intentions of the G-Watch include the following: Painless monitoring system using trans-dermal technology. Constant monitoring to ensure the user is aware if they suffer from a high or low glucose level. A built in emergency system designed to contact authorities and emergency contact if the user is unresponsive to a glucose alert. A rewards system designed to encourage the user to learn about their disease and give them incentives for consistently being proactive about their health. A medical identifier indicating who the user is, their disease, and what their glucose level is at if they suffer an attack. A customization feature allowing the user to change the look of the device when they want. An online portal allowing for documentation of uploaded logs, updating types of rewards available and the medical identifier, patterns available for customization, and how, besides good habits, points can be earned towards rewards. Page 3 of 12

III. Primary Users Name: Amy Rahm Age: 6 Location: Minneapolis, MN Bio: Amy just started kindergarten this past fall. She enjoys coloring, catching butterflies at her grandparent s home, and s mores. Around seven months ago Amy was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic. The transition has been quite difficult for her and her family, especially since Amy is terrified of needles and having her blood drawn. She has been rushed to the hospital a few times for refusing to let her parents test her levels. Life goals: Amy wants to be a vet when she grows up for exotic animals. End goals: Amy doesn t exactly understand why she s a diabetic, but she wants to learn to understand. She doesn t enjoy seeing how unhappy she makes her parents when she puts up a fight against being tested, but is too scared still too scared to do it. Experience goals: Amy wants to learn to not fear testing. Name: Matt Albretchtson Age: 12 Location: Simi Valley, California Bio: Matt enjoys football, video games, and helping his dad work on his carpentry hobby. In his free time Matt is usually running drills as he is trying to train for the track team in the spring. Matt has been a Type 1 diabetic since he was seven years old. He never considered the disease to make him different than anyone else, but now as he has entered middle school he has began to feel self conscious about it. He tries to hide his testing from the other kids, and frequently declines invitations to hang out with new people. Life goals: Matt wants to grow up and work in sports, not as an athlete but as someone behind the scenes. End goals: Matt wants to feel like his glucose monitor doesn t define him. Experience goals: Matt needs to feel encouraged to monitor himself and not associate testing as being an outcast. Page 4 of 12

IV. Secondary Users Name(s): Tyler and Jennifer Rahm Relation: Amy s Parents Bio: Neither Tyler or Jennifer s families had a history of diabetes. So when their daughter Amy was diagnosed it came as a shock to the parents. They ve done some research and are actively trying to learn more on how they can help their young daughter manage her disease. However, it is heart breaking for them when they watch her refuse to allow them to test or when she over indulges and cries as they try to correct her levels. End Goals: Amy s parents hope that with a pain free monitor they no longer have to live in constant fear if Amy will make it through the day. Experience Goals: Amy s parents hope that the monitor will teach Amy that she has nothing to fear when it comes to taking care of herself. They hope that this monitor will give Amy some independence from her disease and help her learn what she needs to do to keep healthy. Name(s): Rhonda and Charlie Albretchtson Relation: Matt s Parents Bio: After doing some research into their family s health history Rhonda and Charlie discovered that a grandaunt on Charlie s side suffered from Juvenile Diabetes. Rhonda s side however suffered more often than not from Type 2. Though Matt has been diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes for the past five years it s still hard on his parents to watch him adjust as he grows older. A few times this school year Rhonda has take his testing kit as she s noticed Matt has left it at home on purpose. Rhonda is starting to worry that his persistence to neglect his health in fear of being labeled different will wind up with his life ending too soon. End Goals: Matt s parents want him to realize that being a diabetic doesn t have to make him any different than those his age. Experience Goals: Matt s parents hope that using this device will help get him into a better habit of testing without self consciousness. Provide detailed information on the expected timetable for the project. Break the project into phases, and provide a schedule for each phase. Page 5 of 12

V. Ideation The following encompasses the ideation process as to the design of the G-Watch. Page 6 of 12

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VI. Inspiration The following photos are just some of the things that have inspired the G-Watch s functionality and look. The current diabetes s testing kit. Samsung and LG s new flexible phone design. (Samsung version pictured below.) Page 8 of 12

4 UC Berkeley s E-Skin A great dress with a vintage theme! Page 9 of 12

Patterncooler.com What a wonderful way to customize a pattern to your liking without having to download it first! The birth control patch. Page 10 of 12

The HTC Merge screen display. A silicone sports watch. Page 11 of 12

VII. Prototypes The following include some refined designs of the G-Watch. Page 12 of 12