Freddie Clark
Product Design
Final year project
Improving Home Treatment for Dependent Oedema Sufferers [Read more]
Reboot - Smart Compression for Dependent Oedema Sufferers
Dependent Oedema is gravity-induced swelling, caused by the pooling of excess fluid in the lower legs. It is most common amongst the elderly, where poor circulation and reduced movement are key factors. Current treatment efforts involve wearing compression stockings or bandages for around 20 hours a day to reduce the swelling. These can be irritating and difficult for the sufferer to apply, and thus heavily reliant on community medical teams for facilitation of treatment.
Reboot - Integrated System
Reboot is a unilateral sequential compression boot that can be used on either leg. Designed with all necessary components housed in one singular device, the Reboot can function standalone, without the need for cumbersome tubing or an external console, a setup that all existing medical-grade compression systems use.
Reboot - Dynamic Compression
Five individual compression chambers are inflated sequentially, from bottom to top, moving excess fluid in a peristaltic movement up into areas where it can be reabsorbed back into the body. This dynamic system significantly reduces treatment time to around 30 minutes, allowing the user more freedom in their day-to-day lives.
Reboot - Measurement System
Reboot features an integrated measurement system, where changes in swelling can be tracked and monitored remotely by medical professionals, eliminating the need for regular community nursing visits. It measures the change in circumference of the user's leg during each session, giving the experts meaningful and reliable data to inform subsequent treatment.
Reboot - App and Branding
Designed with the key statement in mind: 'carefully delivering freedom from dependent oedema,' the brand promotes a sense of trust that is needed in any medical device, especially when it is operated by a non-expert user. By reducing the number of on-hand controls on the remote and moving the settings to a clear, simple app interface, an effective solution was reached for older-adult use.
Freddie Clark
A passionate problem solver, developing innovative solutions to real-world issues through multidisciplinary design
Through my work, I am able to tackle real-world problems with design and technological innovation. I love learning about new things through research and implementing them into beautiful, usable designs. I chose to develop a medical device in my final year as I have seen first-hand how good design can improve the effectiveness of products in this field, having worked in the NHS part-time for 3 years. My interests lie in a field where meaningful opportunities and technological innovation combine to positively impact people and the planet.
Final year project
Improving Home Treatment for Dependent Oedema Sufferers
Awards
‘20 - Diploma in Professional Studies
‘20 - Adobe Creative Jam x Netflix - Honourable Mention
Work Experience
During my placement year, I worked for Makino, a world-leading machine tool company, out in Tokyo, Japan. As part of their first-ever design team, I worked alongside engineers and senior management to pioneer a new design language across their current product lines and beyond, into a vision of the future of factory production. Working around the world has allowed me to experience and embrace a different working culture and hone my design presentation skills to transcend cultural and language barriers.