LEDGE
A sitting assist for elderly people suffering from edema and other swelling in the lower limb areas.
Design Brief: A design intervention for elderly people facing difficulties in day to day activities
Duration: 3 weeks
Guide: Gayathri Menon and Dr. Anwar Ali
Team: Arjun Manoj and Harinad P M
Defining Problem Areas
Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in your body's tissues. Although edema can affect any part of your body, you may notice it more in your hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs.
Research and Data Analysis
Secondary Research
As a part of the secondary research, we collected data from videos, books, articles to know more about Edema and to have a detail knowledge about the causes, patients and treatment.
Primary Research
The primary research was done by direct interviewing the users, doctors and physiotherapist. And also by shadow observing the users.
Brief Summary of Research and Insights
Existing Products and Solution
All the existing product are not ideal for usage as it requires multiple people to assist and complete the task. These solutions and products are heavy and considered as not user friendly. Thus finding an alternate design intervention was challenging.
Redefined Brief: A design interventions for elderly people suffering from swelling in the lower limb.
Ideation
Posture Analysis
Posture analysis was done majorly through observation and analysing daily tasks of the user. Interviewing doctors who were specialist is physiotherapy were also used.
The ergonomic factor was also considered while ideating the product
Mock up models
Prototyping was done using cardboard and using other household accessories to have a better understanding about the closing mechanism, support and joinery.
Final Product
A sitting assist for elderly people suffering from edema and other swelling in the lower limb areas. The body is made using plywood and the entire support system is made using stainless steel.
The cushion is made of high density foam and leather is used for the outer cover. The vibrating system is inbuilt inside the cushion so that when the limb is placed, it provides the massage needed to increase the blood flow, thereby reducing the stiffness, swelling and weakness in the limb
Material and Dimension
Plywood, leather, stainless steel
400mm × 300mm × 270mm
