2. found out two years
ago that she has Lou
Gehrig’s disease (ALS).
Now retired on disability at 50 years of age, she is grappling
with what this means for her future. Besides her finances,
she keeps track of her diet, symptoms, and treatments daily.
But it’s getting complicated, and the specialist treating her
seems too busy to do more than monitor her medications.
Lately Carolyn has noticed that her right (dominant) hand
is becoming less useful than her left, and her gait is
deteriorating. Her friends and neighbors are beginning to
notice and worry about her. Carolyn lives alone, and her
primary goal is to remain as active and independent as
possible for as long as possible.
CAROLYN
3. Affects nerve transmission in spinal cord
Causes deterioration of muscles
Life expectancy is 2-5 years from diagnosis
20% of people will live to 5 years, 10% to 10 years, and 5% to 20 years
Eventually patient requires hospice care
Symptoms may appear gradually or may occur rapidly and then plateau
Loss of muscle bulk, cramping
Fatigue, poor balance, slurred words, weak grip, tripping
Muscle paralysis, joints become rigid and deformed
Weakness in swallowing and breathing
Most muscles are paralyzed, lung function is compromised
Early
Middle
Late
ALS / Lou Gehrig’s Disease
4. Medical Management:
Diaphragm Pacing System- electric impulses stimulate diaphragm
Assisted coughing devices
Palatal Lift- dental device to compensate for weakness in the mouth
Voice Banking- prerecording phrases that the patient can speak with later
Gentle heat can reduce muscle twitching
Special grips ease use of writing and eating utensils, keys, zipper pulls, button hooks
Caregivers help with balance, buttons, feeding
Riluzole- reduces glutamine levels and can prolong life. Most common treatment.
nausea, fatigue, stiffness
Treatments for ALS
5. Problem Statement:
Carolyn needs a device that enables her to maintain
the highest quality of life possible while her symptoms
of ALS worsen and her physical conditions deteriorate.
The device should be useful for the population at large in
addition to those suffering from ALS.
6. Data entry to track diet, exercise, symptoms
Visualization through graphs, tables, etc.
Vitals monitoring
Speech recognition
Gentle Heat
Alarm/reminders
Automatic notifications to smart phone/computer
Compatible with future equipment (e.g.. mechanical ventilation)
Connects to peripheral device (iPad, computer)
“Easy share” feature allows sending data to different circles (Dr., family, friends, etc)
Access to car service (taxi, uber, etc)
Inconspicuous, familiar design
No small/detachable parts
Maintaining Independence
7. Data entry to track diet, exercise, symptoms
Visualization through graphs, tables, etc.
Vitals monitoring
Speech recognition
Gentle Heat
Alarm/reminders
Automatic notifications to smart phone/computer
Compatible with future equipment (e.g. mechanical ventilation)
Connects to peripheral device (iPad, computer)
“Easy share” feature allows sending data to different circles (Dr., family, friends, etc)
Access to car service (taxi, uber, etc)
Inconspicuous, familiar design
No small/detachable parts
Maintaining Independence
13. Feedback
Incorporate access for doctors and friends
Streamline the process with which changes are made in the software
Simplify all processes
Illustrate a how a specific interaction pattern may look
Reduce the dependence on speech in usage
Adjust inputs to binary
Add buttons to the icons on the face
Make it size adjustable
Emphasize the product’s connection to Carolyn
Shift the purpose of the device between “core vs chore” - people want fun, not more tasks
17. Hey, Carolyn.
Let’s...
See your heart rate over time.
See your recorded activity.
See what medicine you’ve taken.
See what you’ve eaten.
Set your alarms and reminders.
Adjust your heat settings.
21. Thursday
Alarms
8:30 AM set
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Saturday
Repeat
Name
Sound
m t w t f ss
Good Morning
Alarm
Noon
8
9
10
11
1
2
3
4
Color
Good Morning
