Lily Device: Preventing Chemotherapy Induced Alopecia
Hair loss is one of the main concerns of cancer patients when they are prescribed with chemotherapy treatment, it has a huge psychological impact and dramatically affects patients’ self-confidence.
Objective
The objective for the Lily project was to design a device that could help cancer patients to keep their hair using compression therapy treatment. It was a challenge by itself, trying to find the best way of integrating the technology into a device, and to make it comfortable for patients to wear during all their chemotherapy sessions.
Time is precious when fighting against cancer, therefore chemotherapy chair time is extremely valuable, here is where the real challenge was. Users needed a fully portable device so they can leave the chair the moment the chemotherapy infusion is over, also efficient and easy to use for the healthcare professionals. This meant: Integrating a whole electronic and compression system into one wearable device.
User Interface:
GUI Design
Designing a space for LEDs and buttons might sound easy but, many hours of usability work went into this interface. The GUI was the component that benefited the most from usability testing, several runs of testing with intended users took us from a confusing interaction to a user-friendly interface with an understandable sequence of lights and buttons to interact with the user.
