Backpack

Backpack for frame. The openings in the front reflect the components inside for easy access.

Frame

Frame variations.
Screws could secure the tubing to the frame, this would make dis assembly passable.
I flat back would be needed for the bump bracket.

Tubing tidy

There will be a lot of excess tubing in between the feed bag and the pump. Some way of keeping it out of the way would be use full.

Frame

Frame made from two components. The two pieces of the frame could be mounted at varying heights depending on the length of the tube joining them. This would mean that a small and a large frame could be made from the same mould.
Smaller parts would also reduce moulding costs

Pump Adjustability

More exploration of pump adjust ability. A swivel securing would mean the pump could be mounted at almost any height.

Frame

A more aesthetically pleasing light weight frame. This would also be more suited to rotational moulding than a boxy design with a lot of flat surfaces.

frame

The frame must hold the feed and the pump. Perhaps it could be light weighted by removing the material behind the feed and the pump.

Stand

Exploring forms for the frame. It must be self supporting

Bracket Adjustability

Adjustability would be increased if the ridges on the frame were changed. Three rails would be good, but a series of small ridges would offer much greater adjustability, meaning a wider range of pumps could be used.

Bracket

Adjustable pump bracket. Extends sideways and has multiple holes to fit a variety of pumps.
Locking mechanism exploration.

Transport

Methods of attachment to wheel chair handles.

Tubing Safety

A method of securing excess tubing in between

feeds. Possible clip system.

Foam

I foam inner would be a good solution to cater for various pumps. The pump section could be swapped out if a new pump was bought.

Dropper Set

On some tubeing (particularly the infinity) the dropper set i exposed. The set needs protection from damage causing splits, or kinks in the tubeing.

Feed Holder

There are a lot of different types of feed on the market. An adjustable holder would cater for a variety of these.

Handles

A handle could easily be moulded into the frame. It would be handy for transporting the frame while it wasnt in the pack.

Frame

The steel frames used in other packs seem less than ideal. They have issues with rust, and damaging the pack.
The kangaroo injection moulded frame is a much better solution. But injection moulding is quite expensive.
A rotationally moulded frame would be a good solution, cost, and materials wise. I'm going to look into rotational moulding design and manufacture.

Tubeing

Storage for tubeing while not in use.

Rubber Tube Guides

Rubber sheaths would make good tube guides. They could be easily produced, and would be flexible enough to fit the shape of the pack or frame. They would also be easy to secure using fasteners, or even sewing.

Tube Guides

Concepts for securing, protecting, and guiding the tubes.

Excess tubeing

Some sort of storage for tubeing would be good. Excess tubeing, or when it wasn't in use.

Tube Openings

Different ideas for openings.

Tube Access

Getting the tubeing out of the bag seems to be an area of difficulty. Here are some general measurements for how big the opening would need to be.

Pump Access

Actual access to the pump without opening the entire bag might be good. It would have to have a better seal than the protective cover so that it could keep out dirt and protect the pump. A zipper might be a good solution.

Control Openings

The pump need to be protected, a solid cover over the clear plastic would be good. The cover needs to be quick release. Velcro would be a good way to get fast access to the controls, of perhaps tabs.

Display/Control Access

Being able to see the LCD display of the pump is important. Feed rates, remaining feed time, and error messages need to be read.
This information should be easily accessible, the entire bag shouldn't need to be unzipped just to view it. The controls also need to be accessed without removing the entire unit.

The Kangaroo pack has clear panels on the front for viewing and accessing the controls. These don't line up with the newer pumps that some of the parents I interviewed were using. I'll be looking into various pumps control, and LCD areas.

Visual Feedback

Visual feedback is an important part of any design. It helps people to know what is happening and feel a connection with it.
One thing that seems to be missing form most backpack designs is a visible feed level. Some sort of feedback on how full the bag/bottle was would be helpful. I've been experimenting with different methods and shapes. Here are a couple of concepts.

Design Opportunities

These are some opportunities that I have pinpointed for possible areas of focus. These are good starting points that I will use to research and concept further.

Existing Features

Not everything needs to be redesigned. The existing products have some important features that need to be kept.
This displays a few of the existing features that need to follow through into my design. There may be room for improvement in them.

Entry Points

These are some entry points for my design project. A list of possable areas to focus on grouped by subject

Existing Problems

Using the information gained from my interviews I have created a chart of existing problems with the current system.
From here I will go on to analyse the information and find some design opportunities.

Usability vs Price

Usabilty in realtion to price has a much clearer corrolation. The more expersive the pack, the better you would expect it to be designed.
There is room for a well designed but more affordable backpack.

Aesthetics vs Functionality

This graph shows backpacks in relation to their aesthetics qualities and functionality. As you can see there is a gap for high functionality high aesthetic backpacks.
Even though the kangaroo backpack is the most functional there is still a lot of room for improvement.

Timeline

Project Brief

Enteral feeding.


“An enteral feeding tube is a medical device used to provide nutrition to patients who cannot obtain nutrition by swallowing. The state of being fed by a feeding tube is called enteral feeding or tube feeding. Placement may be temporary for the treatment of acute conditions or lifelong in the case of chronic disabilities. Many patients treated using a feeding tube lack the ability to survive on their own without such technology.”
www.nutriciaclinical.co.nz

Enterial feeding is part of everyday life for people around the globe. Yet the technology available for allowing people to live an active and unencumbered life seems woefully inadequate.
The back packs and pouched for carrying around the equipment and supplies necessary for tube feeding lack the sort of design considerations necessary for trouble-free everyday use (see appendix for preliminary examples).


Outline

This project will mainly focus on the design of system for transporting the equipment necessary for tube feeding.
The target market will primarily be children with special needs aged 5 to 16.

The main focus areas will be
· Transport – the ability to be mobile and unhindered by the system.

· Ease of use – access to the necessary controls and equipment.

· Ergonomics – comfortable for the users.

· Aesthetics – visually pleasing and socially acceptable.

· Manufacturing – able to be mass-produced at an affordable cost.



Research

To achieve a design well suited to the end user research and observation will be necessary.
To achieve this I have made contact with “Life Boys After School Education”. This allows me direct access to collaborate with qualified staff workers, and parents who have direct experience with enteral tube feeding.
I will be able to observe and record children using the devices in context. This will greatly impact the design and development of the final product.

Major Project

This is my final semester at Unitec studying product design.
As the course goes on it gets more self directed in preparation for employment. The final semester project is chosen by the students.

This means that I will get to choose what my project is based on, what the deliverables are, and how I will go about achieving it.

Over the past few months I have been looking for design opportunities for my project. I want a project that will excite and enthuse me, a project that I can put my time and energy into.

This project will be my entry into the design profession. It will be the cornerstone of my portfolio that I aim to gain employment with.

I’ll post soon with my project choice.

Customisation

Expansion/customisation options

Final

Final Design Render.
Aluminium with Sapele joiners.

Extrusions

Joiners

Joiner Materials

Two material choices hard wood or translucent plastic.

Joiner Revision

I've redesigned the joiners. There are now three separate joiners, 'I', 'T', and 'L' shaped.

This makes the shelving look more consistent.

I've eliminated the four sided joiner all together. This is more consistent with the Chinese aesthetic where four shelves never meet at a point.

Assembly

Test Assembly.

The joiners are a little distracting.

CAD Concept revised

Revised CAD.

I've thinned the extrusion down from 2 to 1.5mm.

The join holes at the end's of the previous concept didn't match the light weighting holes in the extrusion. I've made the join hoes the same size for aesthetic reasons.

The elimination of the centre join holes will reduce the customisability of the shelving. But this was necessary to make the extrusion look balanced, and also for structural reasons. The thinness in the middle was a concerning weak point.

The reduction in pieces means that the components have now been reduced down to three (and passable variations on the joiner).

CAD Concept

Initial CAD concept from previous drawings.

Curve, straight, and both joiners.

The aluminium is thickened around the middle to increase the strength of the join.

Joiner Development

A range of joiner ideas.

Joiner materials will greatly affect the aesthetic of the design.

Possible materials

Plastic extrusion - Black/grey
Plastic extrusion - Translucent
Plastic extrusion - Brightly coloured (match with anodized aluminium)
Hard wood - Dark

Extrusions

The extrusions would need to be hollow to cut down on material cost, and weight. This could easily be done by adding hollows into the extrusion.