Making Wound Care Accessble
Making Wound Care Accessble
Year
2025
Duration
5 Months
5 Months
Client
DuraDerm
Field
Medical Device Design, Marketing Strategy, Business Strategy
Software Used
Overview
Overview
Our multidisciplinary team of designers, engineers, and healthcare experts repositioned DuraDerm’s liquid bandage—originally aimed at athletes—into the geriatric market by combining product refinements with a business expansion strategy. As Design Lead, I guided research, prototyping, and testing to create a simple, easy-to-apply wound care product.
Our multidisciplinary team of designers, engineers, and healthcare experts repositioned DuraDerm’s liquid bandage—originally aimed at athletes—into the geriatric market by combining product refinements with a business expansion strategy. As Design Lead, I guided research, prototyping, and testing to create a simple, easy-to-apply wound care product.
Overview
Our multidisciplinary team of designers, engineers, and healthcare experts repositioned DuraDerm’s liquid bandage—originally aimed at athletes—into the geriatric market by combining product refinements with a business expansion strategy. As Design Lead, I guided research, prototyping, and testing to create a simple, easy-to-apply wound care product.
Getting to Know Our Target Users
Getting to Know Our Target Users
Getting to Know Our Target Users
“My skin is paper thin, and I personally would only be open to products that come with clinical validation...”
~ 95 year old, Assisted Living Resident
“My skin is paper thin, and I personally would only be open to products that come with clinical validation...”
~ 95 year old, Assisted Living Resident
“My dressing needs to be changed everyday because I insist on taking showers daily and that is cumbersome...”
~ Assisted Living Resident
“My dressing needs to be changed everyday because I insist on taking showers daily and that is cumbersome...”
~ Assisted Living Resident
“I like a product which can fit in my whole hand as it more comfortable for me to apply”
~ Assisted Living Resident
“I like a product which can fit in my whole hand as it more comfortable for me to apply”
~ Assisted Living Resident
While DuraDerm's Product originally designed for athletes, our research revealed a stronger need in the geriatric market, where fragile aging skin heals up to 4x slower and millions of older adults suffer wounds annually. With a rapidly growing 65+ population, simple and accessible wound care is increasingly critical.
While DuraDerm's Product originally designed for athletes, our research revealed a stronger need in the geriatric market, where fragile aging skin heals up to 4x slower and millions of older adults suffer wounds annually. With a rapidly growing 65+ population, simple and accessible wound care is increasingly critical.
While DuraDerm's Product originally designed for athletes, our research revealed a stronger need in the geriatric market, where fragile aging skin heals up to 4x slower and millions of older adults suffer wounds annually. With a rapidly growing 65+ population, simple and accessible wound care is increasingly critical.
Current Delivery System
Current Delivery System
Current Delivery System
While current DuraDerm’s applicator works for its original athletic users, it proved unsuitable for elderly users with fragile skin and limited dexterity. By testing the current product with older adults, we uncovered critical insights that shaped our redesign.
While current DuraDerm’s applicator works for its original athletic users, it proved unsuitable for elderly users with fragile skin and limited dexterity. By testing the current product with older adults, we uncovered critical insights that shaped our redesign.
Grip & Form Factor
Slim, hard to hold and needs precision to apply
Slim, hard to hold and needs precision to apply
Activation Effort
Requires too much force to break the ampule
Requires too much force to break the ampule
Delayed Dispensing
Delayed liquid flow lead frustration
Delayed liquid flow lead frustration
Clarity of Use
Many users were unsure how to hold and activate the applicator
Many users were unsure how to hold and activate the applicator
Core User Value
Core User Value
Core User Value
Trust
Users prioritize products backed by clinical validation.
Users prioritize products backed by clinical validation.
Ease of Use
Solutions must accommodate for reduced grip strength.
Solutions must accommodate for reduced grip strength.
Perception
Clear, simple instructions on the packaging is essential.
Clear, simple instructions on the packaging is essential.
Safety
Materials compatible with sensitive skin are highly valued.
Materials compatible with sensitive skin are highly valued.
Product Development
Product Development
Product Development
Field Research
Field Research
Field Research
We visited assisted living communities to interview residents and observe their daily routines, identifying pain points and unmet needs through conversation and hands-on testing.
Ideation & Prototyping
Ideation & Prototyping
Ideation & Prototyping
We 3D printed and iterated 30+ prototypes, applying mechanical engineering and stress analysis to refine the design. Ultimately reducing material use and manufacturing cost by 60%.
User Testing
User Testing
User Testing
We tested our prototypes directly with our target users, gathering feedback on ergonomics, usability, and overall effectiveness to refine the design.
Product Design
Product Design
Product Design
Single Use Ampule
Innovative delivering system.
Slightly press and apply.
Grip Tube
Easy and confident grip for our target users.
Single Use Ampule
Innovative delivering system.
Slightly press and apply.
Grip Tube
Easy and confident grip for our target users.
The Ampule offers a simple, low-effort way to apply liquid bandages by replacing the traditional break-to-activate method with an intuitive press-to-activate design. This ensures that users no longer need to apply excessive force or complex motions to access the product.
How it Works
How it Works
How it Works
How it Works
How it Works
How it Works
Unlimited Reload
Unlimited Reload
Easy pull out the used one and insert a new one or “Recap” the used one, and insert. New applicator pops out!
Easy pull out the used one and insert a new one or “Recap” the used one, and insert. New applicator pops out!
Easy pull out the used one and insert a new one or “Recap” the used one, and insert. New applicator pops out!
This simple push-pull mechanism eliminates the need for fine motor skills or twisting actions, offering a more confident user experience.
This simple push-pull mechanism eliminates the need for fine motor skills or twisting actions, offering a more confident user experience.
This simple push-pull mechanism eliminates the need for fine motor skills or twisting actions, offering a more confident user experience.
Flow Channels
Flow Channels
Four internal channels inside the activator allow the solvent to pass through smoothly, helping saturate the cotton tip for an even and easy application.
Four internal channels inside the activator allow the solvent to pass through smoothly, helping saturate the cotton tip for an even and easy application.
Activator Holder
Activator Holder
A small holder keeps the activator securely in place to prevent accidental use. It only releases when the user applies intentional pressure.
A small holder keeps the activator securely in place to prevent accidental use. It only releases when the user applies intentional pressure.
Material Details
Material Details
The design was shaped by strict material constraints of DuraDerm’s liquid bandage solution, which can only come into contact with glass, metal, and Teflon. our design was tailored around these materials to ensure compatibility and manufacturing feasibility.
The design was shaped by strict material constraints of DuraDerm’s liquid bandage solution, which can only come into contact with glass, metal, and Teflon. our design was tailored around these materials to ensure compatibility and manufacturing feasibility.
The design was shaped by strict material constraints of DuraDerm’s liquid bandage solution, which can only come into contact with glass, metal, and Teflon. Our wound care system was therefore developed around these materials, ensuring compatibility with the existing formulation while balancing usability and manufacturing feasibility.
Branding and Packaging
Branding and Packaging
Branding and Packaging
The packaging emphasizes clarity, visibility, and simplicity with large fonts, clear labeling, and a transparent window, while using sustainable materials to build user trust and minimize cost impact.
The packaging emphasizes clarity, visibility, and simplicity with large fonts, clear labeling, and a transparent window, while using sustainable materials to build user trust and minimize cost impact.
The packaging emphasizes clarity, visibility, and simplicity with large fonts, clear labeling, and a transparent window, while using sustainable materials to build user trust and minimize cost impact.
Final Report
Final Report
Final Report
About the Team
About the Team
About the Team
Our team is a multidisciplinary, cross-functional team of engineers, designers, and healthcare experts!
Our team is a multidisciplinary, cross-functional team of engineers, designers, and healthcare experts!
Our team is a multidisciplinary, cross-functional team of engineers, designers, and healthcare experts!
