STUDENT CANDIDATE NUMBER (given by Examinations and available on Portico):

FKBJ4

DO NOT WRITE YOUR OWN NAME ON THIS SHEET

Personal Tutor Name

Module name and code Interaction Design COMP3012

Name of teacher who set this work Paul Marshall

Coursework Title Medical Temporary Tattoo BodyChecker

Submission deadline 30 April 2015

Page count 26

Medical Temporary TattooBodyChecker

Overview

Unhealthy lifestyle is a very active discussion topic lately, and there is an increasing need to use the fast developing technology for finding solutions for a healthier body and mind.

Scientists from the University of California, San Diego, are finalising and testing a prototype for a medical temporary tattoo which could measure glucose levels in blood for people who need this information on a constant basis (i.e. diabetics who undertake a blood test daily).

The BodyChecker is a similar device which suggests an improvement over the UC San Diego wearable technology by offering the user options regarding what substance to measure levels of.

For example, someone with a calcium deficit could use a temporary medical tattoo measuring levels of calcium in their blood in order to keep an eye on the abnormality and use any prescribed medicine or diet whenever levels go out of the generally accepted range.

Final System Idea

• BodyChecker

• Temporary medical tattoo

• Measures levels of substances in the user’s body, offering results similar with a CBC (Complete Blood Check), for one substance at a time (per tattoo)

• Examples of substances measured: cholesterol, calcium, iron.

• Used to improve diets and lifestyles and also to keep an eye on abnormal levels of various substances in the user’s body, which may be shared with the doctor for prescribed medication.

• Aimed for health conscious people or sufferers of a certain deficit or excess which needs to be monitored or treated as per the doctor’s advice.

Initial User Research: Aims

• Target – health conscious people– Target people who understand and care about their health and see if they have an interest in using

the device. – If successful, can extend the project to raising awareness and targeting less health conscious people,

educate them about the benefits and advise the use of the Body Checker

• Aims: – To determine whether there is a need for constant access to levels of substances in blood and what

the effects if using it could be.– To investigate whether the device could be dangerous for the users.– To check how feasible the technology can be.

At the moment, the glucose tattoo measures levels of sugar in the blood by using a mild electric current applied by small electrodes on the skin for 10 minutes.

The electric current pulls through ions and glucose from the fluid between the skin cells and the levels of glucose are measure with an accuracy rate similar to that of a blood check.

• Specific initial research questions:1. Will this information give the user the power to improve their lifestyle?2. Could the device be dangerous if not recommended by a medic?3. Is it feasible from a biological and technological perspective to measure other substances with the

BodyChecker the way a glucose tattoo can check sugar levels?

Initial User Research: Methods

Two different methods will be used to triangulate results from the initial user research.

1. Surveys

A large sample of respondents will be used to provide quantitative data. The analysis of this data will aim to answer the first research question about the effects the BodyChecker can have on the user’s lifestyle.

The survey will contain both closed and opened questions. Pre-defined questions will offer response options for ease of data analysis, but a number of questions, particularly those focused on how the user feels about certain situations, will be open ended and will provide qualitative data, as opposed to the quantitative data received from the closed ones.

Triangulating responses like this and using a further research method will ensure a more in-depth understanding of the potential user is obtained from the research, for the purpose of creating theoretical situations and personas which can influence the design and features of the Body Checker.

As a qualitative method, the survey will offer general statistical information about people’s views on blood checks and the way results could possibly determine them to improve their lifestyle.

The survey will look at how often people do a blood check, whether they are interested to know more information without having to take the test and whether there is a connection between the test and any improvements in their lifestyle.

Initial User Research: Methods

2. Interviews

2.1. Two structured interview will be conducted with medical experts to assess the dangers of using the BodyChecker without following doctor’s advice.

Analysing these interviews will be a way of answering the second proposed research questions of this study, regarding feasibility and possible dangers of the device.

2.2. In addition, a semi-structured interview will be conducted with a target user who suffers from iron deficit.

This will provide an insight into the effects this has on their current lifestyle and their current coping mechanisms. This interview will also aim to help answering the first proposed research question of whether constant access to information about such abnormalities could determine the user to make changes to their lifestyle or

Initial User Research: Findings • Survey Findings

• THE PURPOSE OF THIS SURVEY IS TO COLLECT PRIMARY DATA TO BE USED IN ANALYSING WHETHER PEOPLE WOULD HAVE IN INTEREST IN SELF-MONITORING THE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM A CBC (COMPLETE BLOOD CHECK). The results will be used for prototyping a wearable technology - a temporary medical tattoo to monitor different abnormalities in one's blood.

• Sample size: 22 respondents; average age was 32 years old and 67% of respondents were females (33% males).

1. 63.64% of respondents have confirmed they only do a Complete Blood Check once a year or less often than that.2. Roughly a third (27.27%) of respondents have one or more of the CBC values situated outside the recommended range. (Either a

deficit or excess of a certain substance)3. More than a third were advised to follow a specific diet or given medication. This number being higher than the previous value for

respondents suffering from a deficit or excess of certain substances, shows that in some cases a healthier diet or medical supplements could benefit even if the deficit or excess is not big enough to shoot out of the ranges.

4. Only 45.45% were not advised to change anything after doing a CBC, and 18.18% cannot remember.5. 18.18% of respondents have confirmed to not having followed the specific diet or medication course advised by their doctor,

although 31.82% of the sample do feel the effects of the deficit/excess of substance on their bodies (anemia, fatigue, discomfort).6. 31.82% of responded answered that the results of a CBC significantly influence their diet and lifestyle when received, whilst an

additional 50% confirmed they are influenced by these results but only slightly. 7. The results regarding how invasive the procedure of a CBC is show that the average rate is 36 (out of 100) and that 52% of

respondents rated this more than 50 on the same scale. 8. 86.36% of respondents replied that they would be interested to have access to the information a blood test would provide if the

procedure were not invasive, and 54.5% thought this would make them feel more health-conscious. 45.5% believe access to such information would also make them feel well informed, whilst only 4.5% thought they would be concerned by this.

Initial User Research: Findings

• Iron Deficit Sufferer Interview Findings– Relevant comments received when discussing with an iron deficit sufferer about the

daily effects of this and their need for more control over the issue:

“I do sometimes feel tired and dizzy for no reason, especially after travelling to or from work. My doctor has explained to me that this might be caused by a sharp decrease in my levels of iron, similar to a calcium crash.”

“I think it would help if I could anticipate the decreases in iron so I can avoid the crash by taking my iron medicine at the right time.”

“Eating broccoli, spinach or liver usually makes me feel a lot better in a very short time, having information about my iron crashes on a constant basis could help me plan my meals better.”

Initial User Research: Findings

• Specialist Interviews findings– Regarding the scientific background of the device, two medical specialists have been

asked to comment on the feasibility of applying the same principle on other substances (rather than just glucose).

Sorin Voicescu (Vienna General Hospital):

“I think measuring levels of other substances in the blood with the ions technique is possible but would need testing on each substance alone.”

“It could potentially be dangerous if wrongly interpreted by the user and irrational decisions were made but I think that could be the case with any other available medical devices nowadays.”

Ramyia Elan (The Royal London Hospital):

“If it works on glucose which is quite a complex molecule, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work on simple calcium ions for example.”

“I think it’s a brilliant idea, it would save hospitals a lot of time and money spent on blood tests!”

Initial User Research: Findings

• Persona

Name: Meredith LewisGender: FemaleAge: 32Occupation: Full Time WorkerLocation: London

Technological Knowledge: Likes gadgets, new technology, is computer literate

Medical Knowledge: Has some general knowledge of medicine

Medical History: Has CBCs regularly, every 6 monthsOccasionally some values are out of the normal ranges.Has been recommended to follow a generally healthy diet, high in protein and calcium.Respects the doctor’s advice, but often forgets the details a few weeks after the CBC.Has a busy work life, finds it difficult to keep up with doctor appointments but tried to.

Lifestyle: Has a busy social and work lifeExercises every now and then, as per the doctor’s advice or to keep fitSocially drinks, does not have many vices, generally health conscious

Initial Thoughts on the device: Thinks it would be “cool” to keep track of your own healthInterested to know whether the healthy diet and exercise would work, hence the BodyCheckercan be a good checking mechanism.Thinks it could help make her lifestyle healthier, stop her from getting off track

Development of Ideas: StoryBoard v1.0

• StoryBoard v1.0 – Feeling Nauseous, Needs a Quick Fix

Meredith often feels nauseous when she leavesthe office in the evening. She is tired and the crowd atrush hour make her dizzy.

When she arrives home and has a healthy dinner, she notices that after about an hour and a half she Feels much better.

The vegetables high in iron, which she lacks, fix her dizziness almost instantly and she wishes she couldknow in advance when she will have an iron crashto be able to avoid it.

Development of Ideas: StoryBoard v2.0

• StoryBoard v2.0 – Keeps forgetting to be healthy…

After her regular check up in February, Meredith was advised to keep a healthier diet and exercisemore. Her doctor recommended some vegetableshigh in iron which could balance her deficit shownin the blood check results.

For a while, Meredith felt very healthy and energised,jogging and following the diet.

After a few months, she forgot about the doctor’s advice and started feeling tired and drowsy all the time. Instead of trying to exercise and change her diet again, she thought it would be best to visit herGP for another test.

Development of Ideas: Tattoo Design and Features

• Design• The Body Checker is a temporary tattoo

• It has a discreet design

• Can be worn anywhere on the skin

• Functionality• The two electrodes in the tattoo send a

mild electric current to the skin for 10 minutes.

• The electric current causes sodium ions

together with other substances to migrate

from the fluid between the cells, to the surface

• The long extensions of the electrodes then

collect these substances and measure the levels.

Development of Ideas: Tattoo Design and Features

• Features– The figure shows the migration

of ions through the ion channels in the

cell.

– Through this process, the ions

“bring” with them other substances

found in the fluid.

therefore, glucose, fats, calcium, iron,

etc. could be measured.

Development of Ideas: Tattoo Design and Features

• Features– The Body Checker will be able to give a similar measurement as a regular CBC (Complete Blood Check), but on

individual substances at a time.

– However, a research into most common deficits has showed that developing and testing a version which can measure calcium, iron and fats would be more urgent, as most people in the UK would likely suffer of these if they are a deficit sufferer.

– Moreover, these are deficits which can be solved with changes in diet and exercise, which is what the Body Checker should inspire in the user.

Development of Ideas: Similar Technology

“Tattoo-Based Noninvasive Glucose Monitoring: A Proof-of-Concept Study,”published December 12 in the journal Analytical Chemistry

UC San Diego

UC San Diego News Center

Measures glucose in the body with electrodes

Development of Ideas: Similar Technology

Epidermal electronic system (EES),Developed by an international team of researchers from the United States, China and Singapore.

Tracks patient’s vital signs and reports findings to researchers

Final Product Idea

• Final ProductThe final idea for the Body Checker wearable device has been inspired by the temporary medical tattoo developed by the University of California, San Diego, which measured glucose and is aimed at diabetic patients.

The Body checker measures a wide variety of substances, most of them found in a normal CBC, including Calcium, Iron, Cholesterol(fats).

When levels of these substances are very high (above the recommended limits, part of the electrodes will change colour due to a usage of chemical identifier, such as red methyl.

Prototype Evaluation: Evaluation Methods

• Review based evaluation– A number of 5 people matching the persona of this study partially were asked to review 3

First reviewer was a 26 year old male, generally healthy, who does not particularly have an interest in his regular checkups or blood tests. He considered the prototype “interesting”, but “wouldn’t us it unless advised by doctor”

He also mentioned that the design could be improved by coming up with more diverse options and the possibility of personalizing it.

Second reviewer is a 24 years old female, with a calcium deficit and anemia, who considered the prototype “ingenious” and believes it could really help her keep her calcium levels under control. Since she takes vitamins and different other supplements to maintain the levels higher than they would be, she think the BodyChecker could “let her know when the levels drop”. She inquired about different colors for the design and wanted to know whether she can pick the shape of it.

The third and fourth reviewer were the 2 medical specialists interviewed about the validity and any possible dangers of the BodyChecker. They believe the design is discreet enough and as long as it is a temporary tattoo there is no reason why users would be unhappy with it. They also highlighted the advantages this would bring for Hospitals.

The last reviewer is a 35 year old male, generally healthy, with an interest in keeping in shape. He considered the Body Checker a “cool idea for monitoring diets” as he often follows certain high in protein diets in combination with exercise, but has been advised by the doctor to not take any of the dietary advice from the internet too far. However, he does not understand very clearly how to read the Body Checker results and would like a better way of quickly reading the data.

All in all, the reviewers have confirmed to have an interest in the Body Checker and all have found various advantages to using it.

Prototype Evaluation: Positive Findings

• The Body Checker was designed with advice from the personal reviews of the evaluators. The reviews showed that the tester users were generally happy and excited about the idea of the Body Checker, although not all of them found a use for it.

• The ones which were indeed interested to test a physical version of the prototype matched the target group for initial research better and the persona resulted from there.

• Also, the reviewers suggested the prototype needed more design and colour options.

• The design was improved and additional colours options were provided given the requests in the reviews.

Prototype Evaluation: Positive Findings

• Background technological research has proven that the tattoo would work similarly on any surface on the human body, so the prototype benefits of small, discreet shape and dimensions and the users are able to apply it wherever they prefer.

• Moreover, at the reviewers’ advice, the prototype has been updated with a colourful line pattern which can be either red or blue depending on the levels of specific substance registered, for easy read.

Prototype Evaluation: Issues

• The Body Checker could be a dangerous device if the user makes irrational decisions based on the information offered by the device.

• As a results, it is only advised to use the device if recommended or a approved by a medic, after a regular check up.

Prototype Evaluation: Issues

• The inspiration idea for the Body Checker, the tattoo suggested by the University of California, San Diego for measuring glucose, appears to have a simple, black and white design, and needs to be analysed by a medic to offer the needed information on glucose levels.

• The reviewers have complained that the process of reading the results was very confusing.

• Therefore, the Body Checker uses a combination of electrodes and colour reactive substances to show a colourful pattern helpful in reading the results.

• Chemical indicators such as methyl red, methyl orange, phenolphthalein, will be used and each turns a different colour when in contact with different substances.

• In order to measure very high levels, a guide leaflet will be offered to the users and they will be educated on what each level means.

• This technology works similar with a pregnancy tests, when specific hormones highlight the specific coloured design on the test.

Reflections on Interaction Design Process

• When using the storyboard, for developing the idea, illustrating the actual situations when the Body Checker can be used made it easy for me to notice faults with the usability of the prototype

• Also, background research was another extremely helpful method as it provided me with an understanding of the current technological progress and ideas of how to use chemistry and biology in a creative way for the colourful recognition solution.

• The main barrier in developing the idea was the evaluation, as the reviews were provided by only 5 people who I could approach to ask for opinions on the theoretical idea.

• Since I did not have the technology to build an actual medical tattoo, a lot of the design was based on assumptions and the user reviews and recommendations.

Conclusions and Next Steps

• This report looked into developing the idea for the Body Checker, a temporary medical tattoo which measures the levels of different substances in the body with the use of small electrodes and exposes it with colours, chemically induced into the tattoo.

• The next steps would consist of building a physical prototype and inspect the feasibility of all practical features of the device.

• In addition to that, there is still a need for experts medical opinion on the device in order to decide more exactly which substances can be measured and test the relevance on each individual one, compared to blood checks.

APPENDICES