2. Product Overview:
We wanted to create a product that
primarily confronts the, often avoidable,
hospitalisation and fatalities of
asthmatics. To tackle this there has been
a focus on the communication gap
between asthmatics and doctors as-well
as the inefficiencies found within the
self-medication process. We set out to
make a very ergonomic model that used
specific anthropometric measurements.
Product View:
The function of this product is to improve
the user’s engagement within the self-
medicating routine for asthmatics through
making an overhaul of the existing inhaler,
which has not seen much change in design
since it was introduced in the 1950’s. Key
elements of the product include improved
design of the casing, a new method of
dispensing medication and electronic
logging for direct communication.
Product Function: Design Ethos:
Page 2
3. Treating asthma is currently costing the NHS around $1
billion a year. This involves prescription drugs, inhalers and
after care; prescription drugs make up for about £533
million. With sufferers currently only receiving about 1/3 of
their suggested dose, Hyper inhaler has the potential to save
up to £170 million worth of wastage with its assisted
medication programming.
The cost of manufacturing comes to around £133 per 1000
units. The casing is designed to last much longer than
traditional inhalers leading way for saving tens of millions.
Market Case:
Asthma is the nation’s most common long
term medical condition with around 5.4
million asthma sufferers; 1.1 million of
these cases being children. For these
sufferers to be medicated properly, to
current standards, they all will need a
“reliever” inhaler and most will need a new
“preventer” for a progressive treatment.
Every ten seconds someone in the UK will suffer a potentially
life threatening asthma attack. With an estimated 3 deaths
per day, due to asthma, the UK stands amongst the worst in
Europe. Sadly reports show that, through better self-
medicating, many hospitalisations and many deaths could
have been avoided.
Asthma.org state that 73 million inhalers
are used in the UK every year. Currently
these short lived inhalers are disposed
after use and constant replacements are
costing the NHS millions.
With asthma medication being among the
most expensive common forms of
treatment, minimising wastage is key.
Market Demand:
Current Inhaler Use Analysis:
With the current inhaler design giving no help with the
current recommended routine, patients are being left with
next to no support as it has been found that 91% of
healthcare professionals, who teach inhaler use “could not
demonstrate all the recognised steps” in taking inhaled
medication. – Stephan Adams, Med correspondent, Telegraph
75 % of cases
Avoidable Emergency
Hospitalisation, 2013
90 % of cases
Avoidable Fatalities,
2013
Economic Case:
Page 3
4. Ergonomic, finger
shaped, indents for
ease of use
Extended
mouthpiece for an
easy inhale
Ribbed button for
activation of the
automatic medication
dispenser
Indent for identifying
inhaler type by touch
along with colour
scheme
Design Features:
The external design was based around
anthropometric measurements taken
form the anthropometry software
PeopleSIze. The result was an
ergonomic, easy to use product.
Models come in different sizes for
different age ranges and in two
different colours for inhaler type.
External Design:
Comes apart for
access to internal
components
Good size for carrying
in pocket/small
handbag
Page 4
5. Design Features:
Liquid Medication
Solenoid for open and
close of pressurised
medication
Button sensor for
program activation
Electronics and
SD storage
Nozzle for atomised
medication guidance
Ease of user engagement was the main
focus of the internal design. This is
apparent with the new dispensing
method. Release is triggered by the
simple press of the button, this
activates the solenoid which
momentarily opens up a valve for
release the pressurised medication.
Internal Design:
Collection of
Cell batteries
Page 5
Vibration motor for
identifying interval
Blue LED for
identifying interval
6. Product Engagement:
Use:
As with traditional inhaler use, the preventer inhaler is to be used in the mornings and
evenings while the reliever inhaler is used for quick relief.
Inhaler steps:
1) Put inhaler head in mouth
2) Press Button to release medication
3) Logging system will take down date and
time that the medication is released and
stored on a micro SD card, will be able
to be reviewed by GP upon routine
check up
4) Wait for 30 seconds until next dose is
taken, a flashing blue LED will represent
each second and a vibration motor will
represent the end of this process
5) Repeat process dependant on suggested
medication routines and type of inhaler
The logging system is an innovative idea to assist the communication between the
patient and healthcare professionals. Inhaler use will activate the system which in turn
will log the date and time on .XLSX extension file for professional viewing on Microsoft
excel. During Asthmatic patient reviews medication is adjusted dependent on the
patient’s progression made with their current medication scheme. Currently
professionals rely largely on the information given by the patients on their personal
engagement when making these adjustments. Unfortunately this can be unreliable.
A survey carried out by acatoday.org claims that, out of a sample set of 1,500 men and
women, 45% of respondents admitted to lying to their doctor. More specifically 38% of
respondents had admitted to not following doctors’ orders. Hyper inhaler bridges this
communication gap and can enhance the treatment scheme for asthmatics.
Logging System:
Page 6
