Personal Project | Fall 2020
WristX
Individual Project
WristX is an independent project. It is a system/product design aiming to assist the rehabilitation process for people who are suffering from Carpel-tunnel Syndrome.
Researches
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm. The condition occurs when one of the major nerves to the hand — the median nerve — is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist.
General Population
High-Risk Population
1-5%
14.6%
Symptoms: Paresthesia; Hypoesthesia; Pain
Gender & Age Distribution
Among a total of 139,336 cases reported to the Department of Industrial Relations in California in the year 2007 - 2014
High-Risk Industries and Occupation
In California, workers’ compensation insurance companies are required to electronically report to the Department of Industrial Relations all workers’ compensation claims for occupational injuries or illnesses that cause lost time beyond the day of injury or medical care beyond first aid. From these data, we are able to list the industries and occupations that will lead to higher risks of getting the Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.
Industries
The industries listed below are some common industries that have really high risks of getting the Carpel tunnel Syndrome.
Treatment Methods
Physical Rehabilitation
After finding out the general treatment methods, I started to look into the more detailed methods of physical rehabilitation of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.
The Carpel Tunnel Syndrome rehabilitation exercise aren’t really time consuming but they should be done repetitively and regularly. But they are not costly or difficult for patients to do.
Conclusion
Self-care
Besides doing rehabilitation exercises, patients should also be careful of their wrist postures even when they are not showing any syndrome.
Prevention
To prevent getting Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, the user’s hands need to try to stay less angled.
Existing Products
Interviews
After doing online researches, I interviewed some patients who have already recovered form the Carpel-tunnel syndrome. The interview mostly focused on how they got the syndrome, the experience of having it, and the rehabilitation process.
Summary
The Carpel Tunnel Syndrome can hurt the patients really much when it deteriorates.
The Carpel Tunnel Exercises have to be done consistently. Doing them occasionally will be not as helpful.
The Exercises can be repetitive and boring sometimes.
Painfulness
Consistency
Tedious & Boring
Survey
After the interviews, I made a survey with simple questions and spread it to patients that are currently trying to recover from the Carpel-tunnel syndrome. A total of 22 patients took the survey and here are some of their answers.
What do you like about the rehabilitation process? What’s the biggest challenge of it?
Design Concept
Problem
The boring and tedious process of rehabilitation for carpel tunnel syndrome & the high risk of getting it, especially for people with high risk occupations.
Pain Points
Boringness
Repetition
High Risk
Concept Goal
By monitoring and correcting hand gesture, rectify the users’ bad habits which might lead to Carpel-tunnel Syndrome.
By monitoring wrist movements, record and showcase datas that reflect the uses’ Carpel-tunnel health.
By combining wrist exercises and interesting games, make the rehabilitation process of Carpel-tunnel Syndrome more interesting for users.
Core Function
Product Narrative
WristX would be a system design that consists of a physical product and a digital platform, together they monitors the health of a Carpel Tunnel Syndrome patient and provides a more entertaining rehabilitation process.
Mood Board
Sketches
Final Design
Quick access button for Bluetooth connection and time adjustment.
LED light on both sides to remind the user of the right posture. The side where the light is on is the side where the user’s wrist twists towards.
Rubber ball for the user to do gripping practice.
Nylon bands for length and strength adjustment.
Lock for the tendon glide add on to attach to the main part of the device.