Ruairidh Keeley
Product Design
Final year project
Portable Drug Infusion System [Read more]
OH2 - A portable drug infusion device.
With the current portable infusion device on the market being outdated, unreliable and hugely expensive there is a need for a more robust, user-friendly device that allows patients to live a more normal life when living with a chronic or life-limiting illness. This product has utilised peristaltic flow technology to create a direct replacement for syringe drivers for use in hospitals, hospices and in the community. This has a worldwide application.
Striking a Balance
The combination of implementing new technologies, adhering to medical device requirements and ensuring continuity of professional user experience has come with its challenges. The infusion device balances innovative design with a familiar operation for professional users.
Tackling Key Issues
Engaging with doctors, nurses and prescribing pharmacists highlighted a need for change. Previous linear-actuated syringe design created a range of reliability and portability problems. OH2 has removed the need for syringes entirely.
Technology Validation
Proving peristaltic flow technology could be applied to portable devices was key in getting this product to work. Many iterations of mechanical and electrical prototypes were developed in order to create a small and reliable pump that could deliver fluid at a constant rate. This is essential for safe drug delivery. OH2 is capable of infusing up to 50ml of fluid over a period of 24 hours at variable flow rates.
Integrating the Idea
A focus on pump size optimisation led to radical changes in overall form. The reduction in size and streamlined exterior has made the device a lot more portable and discrete.
Ruairidh Keeley
I am a hard-working, detail-driven individual who has spent the year designing and developing a portable infusion pump for palliative medicine.
My work is built around delivering meaningful solutions that have a positive impact on peoples’ lives. OH2 is a project about improving the lives of terminally ill patients who are usually in their last few months of life by reimagining the syringe driver. This challenging and rewarding project has really pushed me to understand the holistic nature of design and apply this to complex medical care. I’ve had to rapidly develop skills in drug administration and patient and professional user experience. Following on from my placement and learning at Loughborough I now feel well-equipped and excited to move into the design industry.
Final year project
Portable Drug Infusion System
Awards
'21 Diploma in Professional Studies
Work Experience
Spliced Studios:
Over my 13 month placement at Spliced Studios, I was part of the team bringing the world’s first integrated responsive furniture products to market. Spliced Studios gave me the experience of working within a small team facilitating the rapid acquisition of design skill sets. The placement gave me a more rounded understanding of the whole design process from concept through testing and manufacture to the delivery of a marketable and successful product.