This document summarizes research conducted on two medical products: an Omron FlexTip Smart Digital Thermometer and a VIB Mech Medicare MD-631 Nebuliser. The research involved evaluating the products out of the box, setting them up, using them, and conducting user interviews. For the thermometer, needs identified included allowing the temperature to be read in the dark and improving the clarity of packaging instructions. For the nebuliser, needs were to make it easier to use during an asthma attack and ensure a reliable power source. The document analyzes the products and identifies user needs to inform potential redesigns.
2. Products we were assigned:
1. Omron FlexTip Smart Digital
Thermometer
2. VIB Mech Medicare MD-631
Nebuliser
3. Fleming medical have asked us to carry out an ‘out of the box’ research experience on
a range of their products. This entails:
● First sight evaluation
● Consideration of how the product is removed from packaging
● Consideration of the documentation
● Analysis of set up instructions
● Redesign of the product
Introduction
4. Planning Evaluation
Know the customers;
who will be buying
these products?
Understand where
these products can be
bought Record our first
Evaluation
Methods
encounter with
the product
Record the set up and
use of product
Conduct interviews
Secondary research -
what is the product for?
Go into the field; find
out where these
products or competitor
products can be found
Understand
user needs
and desires
Identify
problems
6. - Packaging shows where its made
- Very small writing
- Not much information on the outer packaging
- Is it exclusive to small children?
- Very little packaging
- Looks intuitive to use
- Information on bottom of packaging not very visible
- Huge instruction pages found inside
- Illustrations on how to use the thermometer
- Instructions supplied in many languages (German, French, Italian, Spanish,
Portuguese, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian etc.)
8. - Removed easily from the box
- Handy carry-bag included - small and durable
- Concise instructions with pictures included
- Pages dedicated to troubleshooting
- There is no AC adapter included even though it is show in the instruction manual
- Instruction manual in one language
- Intuitive for people without asthma
- 10.5cm not 11cm
9. Set up - Thermometer
The thermometer did not take
very much set up
We took it out of its packaging
and it was very intuitive to use;
just turn it on and use it
11. Use of Product - Thermometer
The thermometer was very easy to use
None of the group had to read the
instructions to use it; it was very intuitive
Turn on the product and place it i.e, under
the arm, in the mouth
Wait for the ‘beep’ and then read the
temperature
13. Field Research
Other thermometers found in
pharmacies
For nebulisers; nebulisers were not
displayed in the pharmacies we
visited
They are available for purchase
online (medguard.ie, nebuliser.ie,
amazon.com) but a prescription is
required for the medication
14. Interviews conducted - Nebuliser
Female, 30+, no previous experience with asthma
Q1. Do you know what this is?
“Yes, it’s a nebuliser for people with asthma.”
(She put the nebuliser together easily without reading instructions)
Q2. What do you think of it?
“It’s very small. The only nebulisers I have seen before were quite large machines. It is handy, but would it be
powerful enough for someone with severe asthma?”
“I don’t understand some of the words on the box.”
“The manual that comes with it is concise enough. I’m glad I wouldn’t have to read it all looking for one problem.”
“If someone is having an asthma attack would they be able to hold it by themselves?”
15. Interviews conducted - Nebuliser # 2
Female, 40+, history of asthma in family and in children
Q.1 What do you think of the packaging?
“The packaging seemed to imply that it is for children. Unless you turn the box around you wouldn’t know.”
Q.2 Would you change anything about it?
“This nebuliser may be hard to keep a grip of when having an asthma attack, especially if you have larger than average or
smaller hands and when you start to sweat. The carry case also does not seem like it would protect the product well if it
were to be dropped and maybe a place to store medicine would be nice”
Q.3 What do you think of the instructions?
“Well I would read the single sheet of information straight away. After that I would probably read through the manual to find
out more about the mesh vibrating technology because I have never heard of it before. Apart from that I would not really
read it except for looking for how to clean it.
Q.4 Would you keep the packaging?
"I would keep the box because it has information on it. I would put the masks in zip lock bags for hygiene reasons and I feel
they should not be left to gather dirt and bacteria.”
16. Interviews conducted - Thermometer
Male, 25+, young son
Q1. What do you think of the product?
“It’s nice. It’s small enough to store any where and also to travel with.”
Q2. Would you use it?
“I’d use it on my son, yes. The flexible tip is nice and soft for small kids, even if he did get his hands on it by himself.”
Q3. When would you use it?
“I’d use it when I needed to. If I felt like my son had a temperature or if he was sick. It doesn’t light up, does it? If I were to use it at
night or if my son was asleep, it’d be pretty hard to see.”
Q4. Would you change anything about it?
“It’s very intuitive to use, so I probably wouldn’t include so many instructions. But I do understand that companies are obligated to
include these sometimes.”
Q5. Would you buy this product?
“Yes, I would. It’s sturdy and I’m sure I could use it on all members of my family, rather than the youngest.”
17. Interviews conducted - Thermometer #2
Female 40+, mother of four children.
Q.1 What do you think of the packaging?
“I am not a huge fan of the packaging. I feel it is dull and would not catch my eye. I also would not have noticed the symbols
at the bottom unless I picked it up at eye level.”
Q.2 Would you change anything about it?
“Apart from the packaging I feel that the thermometer is pretty straight forward. It might be hard to read the temperature in
a dark room though because there is no actually light on the display. Whenever I have had to check temperature of my
children when they were babies it was at night. Also I had no idea if this thermometer was for a specific place like the mouth
or ear. I think that it is versatile should be labled more clearly”
Q.3 What do you think of the instructions?
“I would not read them. They are very intimidating and it feels like they were just thrown in because they had to be. They are
not user friendly in the slightest.”
Q.4 Would you keep the packaging?
“No I find the cover that comes with the thermometer would be enough to protect the product from dirt.”
18. Secondary Research
To get a better insight into our products we did some
research into what they are used for and their functionality
This helped us understand our product more and proved
helpful in our further research
19. Nebuliser
A machine that converts
liquid medication into a
fine mist by compression
that can then be inhaled
A standard dose of
medication takes 5-10
minutes to be inhaled
Several different types
of medication can be
taken through a
nebuliser, including
relievers and preventers
Used by people who have a
severe respiratory disease
Used if someone is really
struggling to breathe
Used to clear mucus from
respiratory system
20. Thermometer
A an instrument for
measuring and
indicating
temperature
The flexible tip proves
to take young childrens
temperature more
easily and safely
The heat-sensitive tip
is able to accurately
tell the computer chip
inside what the
temperature is
It is used for measuring
human body
temperature by using it
under armpit,
Used when child is
suspected sick to check for
a high temperature
As a general rule, a
temperature of over 37.5C
(99.5F) is classified as a
fever.
21. Users Needs & Desires
Nebuliser
● The need for it to dispense the medication
properly
● The need for it to work in times of
emergency
● The need for it to have cleaning guidelines
to prevent any unwanted bacteria
● Easy to read instructions that can be easily
and quickly followed
● Simple packaging that can be opened
quickly.
● Basic information i.e. where it was made,
how to dispose of it….
● It must be quick and easy to put together
● The need for it to have batteries in
packaging in case of emergency
22. Users Needs & Desires
Thermometer
● The need to have cleaning guidelines to
prevent any unwanted bacteria
● It has to be large enough to be used around
children (choking hazard)
● It must display the temperature clearly so
that it can be read easily
● The battery life should be long lasting
● It must give the proper disposing
guidelines.
● It must possess a cover so that it can be
kept clean.
● It must have have LED lighting so that it
can be used at dark times
● It should be usable by the entire family - not
just kids
23. Identifying problems
Nebuliser
● Would a person be able to hold it
whilst having an asthma attack?
● Batteries could run out in an
emergency
● There is no AC adapter included
even though it is illustrated within
the instruction manual
● The medication has to be at a
certain level for the nebuliser to
work
Thermometer
● There is a lot of packaging that we
found unnecessary and could be
overwhelming
● It does not have any built in LED
lights so reading temperature in
dim light would be difficult
● The clear cover is also hard to see
in dim light
● The device is electronic and
contains a small battery - how
would a user clean the
thermometer?
24. Need Statements: Thermometer
Observations Problems Needs
1. The product does
not have any lights
Users may not be able to
read the thermometer in
dim light
Users need a way to read the
thermometer in the dark
2. The product’s
cover is clear and
transparent
Users may not be able
to see the cover
Users need to see the
cover properly
3. There is a lot of
packaging and
instructions involved
with the product
Users may become
overwhelmed and
not read the
instructions at all
Users need instructions
to be presented in a
clear and concise
manner
25. Need Statements: Nebuliser
Observations Problems Needs
1. The device is small must
be held by the hand to
be used
It may be difficult for
someone having an
asthma attack to hold
Users need a way to hold the
device while in a compromising
position
2. The nebuliser comes
with only 2 AA batteries
Batteries may run out in an
emergency
Users need a reliable
energy source for the
nebuliser
3. Everyone
interviewed,
including ourselves,
thought it was for a
child because of the
packaging.
Adults may browse
over product
assuming it is for
children
A way to advertise the
product as being for
all ages
26. My Chosen Need Statement
Product: Omron FlexTip Thermometer
27. Design Specification
Main function: Measure temperature. With my solution to the need statement the main function would be to able to
read the temperature in the dark.
Stakeholder/user requirements: Users require the thermometer to tell temperature accurately and quickly.
Stakeholders require the product to work and provide excellent service to their customers.
Marketing requirements: The target market appears to be towards parents and families. This means that the product
should be affordable.
Human factors: As the product is to be used in the home it is important that the product is safe to use. The design
has to be attractive but also function.
Legal requirements: The Health Product Regulatory Authority (previously the Irish Medicine Board) is the authority
for regulation of medical devices on the Irish market. It is important to conform to any rules set by the HPR i.e.,
ISO13485 or CE marking.
Environmental factors: Although some medical products cannot be recycled, it is important that users are informed
of how to dispose of the product properly.
Electrical requirements: The thermometer uses battery power. It has automatic on/off. The battery is also
replaceable. It is important that the battery is long lasting.
