William Loh is a designer that enjoys exploring concepts through user-based insights and finds excitement in designing to improve the lives of the users. Understanding the benefits that design can bring, William aims to provide solutions that can cater to a wide range of pain points and users.
Asthma is a chronic medical illness that affects the bronchiole, the small airways in our lungs. This condition causes these airways to become oversensitive and react to non-threatening things such as chilly air or dust. When asthma triggers, the muscles in the bronchiole tighten, making it difficult to breathe. Mucus forms and further clogs up the airways, making it more difficult to breathe. Asthma is a prevalent problem in Ireland, affecting people of all ages. 1 in 10 children have asthma. Within the UK, 5.4 million people are currently receiving treatment for asthma, with 1.1 million being children.
The Problem
The treatment of asthma comes in many forms of inhalers, most common in Ireland is the metered dose inhaler. Many users, especially teenagers, are not fully aware of the proper administration procedure, and many would rush it to avoid attention. This leads to poor management of their symptoms as well as struggling with the negative stigma regarding asthmatics. Inhalers have only recently become recyclable through a ‘return to pharmacy’ scheme, but this is not well known, and users can forget.
The Solution
The E-haler is a medical device that integrates technology and is geared towards value and reusability. It features a digital display that aid users with a countdown to ensure that each dose is administered effectively.
Silent
To reduce the noise that comes from the cannister and inhalation, the E-haler has a noise dampening filter made of sponge, cotton, and polypropylene.
Reusability
Unlike other inhalers, the E-Haler has a replaceable nozzle that can be swapped out with every cannister. This ensures that the rest of the inhaler can be used for longer without sacrificing effectiveness in treatment.