Name: Avinash Shivakumar
Assignment #2
My brainstorming process began with an exploration of the possibilities for the actual numbing agent. I went through several ideas, and, for some reason, most of them were based on natural numbing agents or similar natural substances.
I then moved forward to the implementation method. At this stage, I explored options for the ways in which the aforementioned substances could be implemented and delivered to the patient. These ideas did not explicitly incorporate into the delivery mechanism that included the syringe itself, however. I have included pictures of my low fidelity prototypes for some of these partial solution component ideas.
Finally, I looked at different methods to actually deliver the numbing agent component solution alongside the syringe. I have included pictures of the low fidelity prototypes for some of these complete solutions as well. These prototypes correspond to their respective component ideas (I assumed this was what was meant in the assignment statement when it specified to create “5 component ideas and 5 complete solutions”).
My first set of prototypes focused on a type of spray-on numbing agent. The idea was to use some kind of spray-bottle nozzle mechanism to administer the numbing agent to the patient’s skin. The spray-bottle mechanism would be supplied by a string of capsules, each with one dose of the numbing agent. The spray-bottle would be able to use exactly one capsule per spray. The syringe would be affixed to this spray-bottle mechanism through a snap-in frame built in to the spray-bottle mechanism. Presumably, the spray from the nozzle mechanism would begin acting immediately upon release from the capsule.
My second set of prototypes focused on a pinching method. I started thinking about this possibility because of a more extreme case in an episode of the TV show “House” that I had seen many years ago. In the episode, Dr. House’s painkillers for his leg are no longer being prescribed to him, so, in the resulting pain, he decides to smash his hand with a gavel in order to foreseeably mentally divert the pain from his leg to another part of his body. So, I picked up a less severe solution from this instance in that I think it would be helpful to the patient to experience the minor discomfort of a slight pinch or a tensing of the skin in order to divert the potential pain caused by the injection. Because we are presumably using disposable syringes, I would affix the syringe to the clip by means of a putty-like substance with quick-hardening properties for a steady maintenance of the two during the procedure. Additionally, in order to further dull the pain of the injection and its aftermath (itchiness, swelling, etc.), I would infuse and/or coat the clip with some numbing agent like clove oil or menthol.
My third set of prototype focused on a pen-type delivery method. I was thinking the numbing agent, if in gel or fluid form, could be transmitted through a tube (as in toothpaste) or through a sort of marker-pen that uses the numbing agent as its ‘ink’. I would then clamp this component to the syringe by means of a proximal clamping mechanism. With the low-fidelity prototyping station materials, I was not able to very accurately convey the proximity of the ‘pen’ and the syringe without sacrificing the image of the clamp altogether or at least to a great extent. I believe that my prototype accurately conveys my intention, however, as it demonstrates the idea of the clamping apparatus. For some reason, I felt quite compelled to include a stand for the apparatus. The stand would allow for easy access to the apparatus (or apparati, if the device shall be stored in mass quantities) as it would only necessitate the vertical lifting of the clamping apparatus in order to free one instance of this ‘pen’-syringe device. Likely, the pen’s gel would be activated by the clicking or pushing of a button or by simply applying a minimal amount of pressure from the pen’s writing surface to the patient’s skin.
My fourth set of prototypes focused on a sort of brushing technique. The idea here was that the syringe would be affixed, by clamp, to a brush mechanism. For my prototype, I used a paintbrush, but any type of bristled or foam-based brush would suffice. The brush would be affixed, by means of an elastic band, to a tube that would dispense the numbing agent. The tube would presumably dispense the numbing agent directly into the brush, which could then move across the surface of the patient’s skin, effectively painting the patient’s skin with the numbing agent. Upon sufficient forward distribution of the numbing agent, a simple backward movement, against the direction of the brush, would serve to inject the patient with the needle.
My fifth set of prototypes focused on filling a rigid sleeve with the numbing agent and then sliding it onto the syringe. The sleeve would fit snugly onto the shaft of the syringe. The sleeve would be open on one side (to allow for it to slide onto the syringe) and nearly enclosed on the other side, so as to allow for the pushing out of the numbing agent and remnant air within the sleeve. There might be a thin membranous layer of some sort in order to separate the numbing agent from a pocket of air in the sleeve. The air pocket would, in turn, be separated by another membranous layer from potential puncture by the syringe. The pressure of the syringe being pushed into the sleeve would force the numbing agent out of the sleeve, leaving the first membrane to rupture, allowing the air to escape. Then, the second membrane would rupture when the syringe’s needle penetrates that layer, ultimately exiting the sleeve on the other side. In the complete solution prototype, it is even possible to see the syringe behind the air pocket; although it is not in the exactly correct position, it is close enough to convey what I needed it to for the purposes of this low fidelity prototype.
I happened to color code certain aspects of these prototypes as well as use certain materials to symbolize potential others. The use of the color blue generally indicates the numbing agent or a close functional relation to the numbing agent. Use of white beads explicitly indicates an air pocket. Use of yellow beads indicates the syringe’s original serum contents when necessary to distinguish. Use of the plastic, pen-like containers indicates the syringe itself.
Some of my brainstormed ideas had to be discarded because they were too absurd or not humanely feasible. The only reasons I included them to begin was for the purposes of the essence of brainstorming, which suggests not to discard any idea before considering them all.
My brainstorming process and sketches are below in PDF attachment format. I don’t know why it didn’t just display them.
