Abstract
The Hornhaler is the project to change the structure of the inhaler using common techniques, thereby improving usability. The medicine is aerosolized by ultrasonic vibrator. It is easier to delivered to the airway. Hornhaler doesn’t need separate training, and also weak inhaler power people, such as children and old people, can use easily.
Design Issues
The form of the asthma inhaler today began from medihaler in 1957. Designs that ignore user characteristics have been inconvenient and convenient for over 50 years. According to medical research, 70 percent of 350 million patients don’t know how to use inhaler, and more than half use it incorrectly.
User Research
Statistical data was not enough to know the specific aspects will be addressed. So I decided to conduct user research. User Research done by primary study and a secondary study of 3 real asmathic patients interview. After secondary research, expert research(Three pharmacists and researchers) was also conducted to find out the cause and effect of the issues that were identified after the research.
Prototyping and Simulated User Test
Based on the needs of users, the design concept was set and the corresponding color, material, form and interaction were decided. Form prototypes and working prototypes were carried out in parallel. Because there were legal problems with medical product testing, the test drug used glycerin, which is the base of e-cigarette fluid. After making working prototype, users were tested. User Testing conducted four UNIST asthma students and interviewed them after the test. Through interviews, technical evaluation, improvement plans, etc. were investigated. The initial design was based on bamboo, but it was transformed into horn-shaped, reflecting the user’s needs.
Design
Existing asthma inhalers spray medicine under pressure from the dispensing agent. The dispensed medicine must have enough space in the mouth to spread out fine-sized particles and pass them to the airway. The Hornhaler has the ultrasonic vibrator. It makes medicine as small particles. This allows delivery of particulate matter to the airway without having enough space in the mouth.
The drug container is used as a mouthpiece for one-time use. After use, it was discarded and the cleaning process was omitted. Inside, there is a micro-vibration board, which vibrates when the current flows and aerosolizes the drug Inside the body, there is a propeller-based wind sensor that detects the flow of air sucking. When the wind is detected, it sends an electric current to the oscillator.refer to fitness products.
The project was carried out in 2019 with the support of the UNIST’s Design Administration Office and the Start-up Care Center. Thank you to everyone who conducted the interview and
professors Kyungho Lee, Hwang Kim and Yeonwoo Jeong.