COMPONENT DESIGN FOR ASSEMBLY
After the final concept presentation, MWDesign will focus on the approved product concept. This will be done primarily through 3D CAD modelling. We will further development the CAD models into precise components incorporating all features from the final concept design. The objective is to develop the design to allow us to create a prototype for testing, before investing in tooling.
Focusing on individual part components, MWDesign will refine the components and design out the cost to enable us to maintain quality while meeting our budget cost. We will begin engineering the parts for the product, focusing on functional aspects of the design.
COMPONENT DESIGN FOR ASSEMBLY
After the final concept presentation, MWDesign will focus on the approved product concept. This will be done primarily through 3D CAD modelling. We will further development the CAD models into precise components incorporating all features from the final concept design. The objective is to develop the design to allow us to create a prototype for testing, before investing in tooling.
Focusing on individual part components, MWDesign will refine the components and design out the cost to enable us to maintain quality while meeting our budget cost. We will begin engineering the parts for the product, focusing on functional aspects of the design.
COMPONENT DESIGN FOR ASSEMBLY
After the final concept presentation, MWDesign will focus on the approved product concept. This will be done primarily through 3D CAD modelling. We will further development the CAD models into precise components incorporating all features from the final concept design. The objective is to develop the design to allow us to create a prototype for testing, before investing in tooling.
Focusing on individual part components, MWDesign will refine the components and design out the cost to enable us to maintain quality while meeting our budget cost. We will begin engineering the parts for the product, focusing on functional aspects of the design.
MWMedical
Pepi Splint
Pepi Splint was developed to address one of the most common causes of injury in neonatal intensive care: skin damage from securing and replacing intravenous lines. By reducing the need for adhesive tape to be applied directly to fragile skin, the design helps minimise pain, injury, and the risk of infection for premature and newborn babies.
SERVICES
Industrial Design
CAD Development
Visual Renders
DFM
Prototyping
OPPORTUNITY
Neonatal Splints
Current splint and tape methods cause damage to the skin and risk other injuries of neonates.
Latrogenic skin injury in hospitalised babies is common. Most babies who are admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit require a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) for fluids, medication and nutrition. PIVCs (drips) are placed inside a vein and are the most used device in unwell babies, with many babies requiring multiple drips.
A single adhesive removal has been shown to strip 70-90% of a
baby's epidermis.
Secured to the baby’s limb using splints and
adhesive dressings, removing the adhesive dressing (Elastoplast) tears and removes up to 80% of the fragile neonatal skin, increasing the risk of infection and possibly lasting skin damage.In an estimated 1 - 5 cases [New Zealand] a year, accidental digit amputation occurs.
Skin injuries are the most common iatrogenic injuries in hospitalised babies, which increases the risk of infection (local and systemic) and can lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalance and temperature instability. The skin injury can cause complications which prolong hospitalisation and can result in permanent scarring.
APPROACH & OUTCOME
Developed With Care
We collaborated with nursing staff, family, iwi and clinical specialists throughout the development, often trying the device on ourselves before testing
in NICU.
New mums (and dads) despair watching the procedure as their child screams with pain at the skin injury despite the nursing staff's best efforts to remove the tape, then reapply to another arm or leg.
Pepi Splint is a soft and flexible silicone splint that allows the nurses to wrap the tape over the silicone tabs instead of directly onto the baby. The splint can be used for both left and right arms and feet. With a thin aluminium splint encased in the silicone, the splint can be bent into the appropriate angle needed for the baby. The splints come in three sizes for varying weights of premature babies and tab length can be trimmed to suit.
