User centred design for medical products

The project undertakes innovative experimental and industrial research contributing to the design of a child focused “Wiggle Bag” which will be used to safely harness and reduce infection at the site of a catheter tail in the chest of long-term child cancer sufferers. Children with cancer regularly have long term central line catheters inserted in the chest to deliver medication. Often termed ‘Hickman Lines’, they result in tubing protruding from the chest, which can result in medical issues including infections, but also discomfort for the child, particularly when sleeping. The research uses an inductive approach, triangulating various research strategies including questionnaires, focus groups and interviews from parents, carers and medical personnel. QFD was used to bring together the key findings from the primary data analysis to establish a design criteria and the product development. The outcome of the research was a functional product ergonomically designed for maximum comfort and safety, with the added unique selling point of antibacterial properties.