The design challenge

CPR performed with a bag valve mask presents many opportunities for human inconsistencies and error. For CPR to be effective multiple factors must all work in concert for the process to preserve a life. Introducing an intermediate feedback device that provides real-time analytics around an abundance of CPR factors increases effectiveness and saves lives. This device must provide feedback in a multitude of varied settings, it must also deliver an exceptional experience within the limitations of a single use device and the associated cost constraints.

Establish design needs and goals

UX worked in partnership with the product team and a cross section of end users to establish requirements for this medical device. The two most significant requirements guiding the design where the constraints around a disposable single use device paired with an experience intuitive enough to require minimal to no additional training.

Looking across industries and disciplines 

Since this is a market defining device we had to be creative with the precedents that we examined. We initially turned to other medical devices that provided succinct real time feedback. We also turned to the automotive industry which must blend at a glance communication, real time feedback, and preserve a minimally distracting environment. Lastly, we examined a collection of mindfulness experiences that were low touch and provided meaningful value through consistent utilization.

Meaningful communication at a glance

The primary goals in this early ideation session included:

• Examining terminology, clarity, and brevity

• Exploring iconography to indicate increase, decrease, and target visual scale

Early conversations around the limitations of abbreviated labels and constrained UI allowed for further requirements refinement. Demonstrating the visual limitations as related to device size allowed stakeholders to react early and narrow the scope of functionality.

Clear feedback through visual transitions

The primary goals of this early ideation session included:

• Exploring light and color to direct attention at key moments

• Applying light and color to visual scales to communicate increase, decrease, and on target

Early conversations around the importance of color variations allowed the hardware designers to build a strong case for increased budget allocation to non-monochromatic UI. This also initiated conversations around where alternate cost savings measures needed to be.

Contextual inquiry and guidance from subject matter experts

Our stakeholders represented a wide range of experts across the medical profession. These stakeholder interviews established a common understanding for the product moving forward and provided the following:

• Demonstration of the assisted breathing process utilizing the original prototype device in a variety of settings for our observation

• Definition of the anticipated range of medical scenarios, applications, and obstacles when using a feedback device for assisted breathing

• Evolution of interaction requirements

The first UI representation

• Exploration of target iconography

• Exploration of dedicating specific portions of the UI to the compression and respiration facing sides

• Exploration of attention grabbing alert methods balanced with clarity of message

Evolving Concepts

• Exploration of variations of alert iconography

• Exploration of alternating display values between tidal volume and respiration rate

• Exploration of labeling alerts and numerical values for additional clarity

Guidance from experts in the field

• Users evaluated three concepts and spoke about their experience in the field

• Users mocked ideal UI layout on a 3d printed volume with paper labels

• Users stack-ranked the three concepts, highlighting what worked well and what did not work well for each

Design refinement

• Refined alert iconography to balance readability and understanding at a glance

• Minimized labeling to UI elements users indicated required definition

• Modified the display order of the UI elements and located everything on a single face