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CARRYING OXYGEN breathing with comfort and confidence

Jaimie Gerst

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For my chosen year long thesis project, chose to ensure my design filled a need. Something that was so special, that even when mass produced, it felt as special as a custom product; the perfect gift.

Redesigning the experience of breathing in public for those who need to carry supplemental oxygen, perhaps I could improve health by encouraging use.

The goal is to increase use by building user confidence when in public.

IID THESIS/ HONORS CAPSTONE

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“More than a million people use supplemental oxygen in the U.S. alone.”(myoptumhealth)

“COPD, also known as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, is a very serious disease, and the third leading cause of death in the U.S.”

http://www.scielo.br/

WHO NEEDS OXYGEN?

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4 MOST COMMON SIZES

Constant oxygen users are bound to embarrassing and bulky oxygen tanks, causing several patients to not use their portable oxygen.

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“Oxygen therapy can treat lung disease symptoms.”

“COPD third leading cause of death in the US.”

PROBLEM

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Current holders break, do not fit everything, slip and cause balance loss.

OXYGEN THERAPISTS

OXYGEN REGULATORS

6 7 CURRENT OPTIONS

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hard zippers fit/read regulator strap comfort

DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES

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“I wish it all could all fit in my one purse.” Kathy

LEAVING HOME

10 EMBARRASSMENT

“New cases of COPD is increasing almost three times faster among women than among men.”

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“It took me weeks before I could bring myself to wear my oxygen in public. Being out there in the open is a vulnerable, awkward,

embarrassing thing to deal with, but I’m learning.” Moxie

OXYGEN USER// Moxie

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“I was 19, scared, and a nervous wreck because everyone was going to stare at me. I just want to feel beautiful.” Katie

OXYGEN USER// KATIE

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“No one visiting my respiratory doctor wears oxygen. They are embarrassed and only use it in the car.” Kathy

OXYGEN USER// KATHY

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To promote immediate portable oxygen use among supplemental oxygen users by designing a way to

use oxygen with both confidence and comfort.

OBJECTIVE

14 15FINDING FORM

Making tank replicas.

I played with different ways to hold the tank within the carrier and decided to choose an open pocket that the tank can easily slide into. The material needs to bee slightly stiff to maintain form (I used interfacing in the final prototype).

This was the first holder I made. The base did not fit the form of the tank. This made me focus on the form for the base of the bag.

16WORKING FROM THE BASE UP

Pleating the base created rigid forms that did not conform to the cylinder tanks.

Creating purse bottoms that could fit all 4 standing tanks, broadened the potential forms on which the carrier can take.

16 17OXYGEN ON THE BODY

Exploring all the ways the tank could conform to the body made me realize that the desired tank location depends on what the user may be doing when they leave the home.

I wanted to discover a way to have choice when decided what position to wear the carrier.

18BACKPACK VS SIDE BAG

Sketching both versions of the tank holder, both back and side style.

18 19INSPIRATION

20FINAL DESIGN

Thick padding is needed to protect the body from the hard tank when worn.

Quilts have been historical artifacts that help warm, comfort and protect.

This process shot shows the quilting that was used for strength and the faux skin for a lightweight bag.

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I received user feedback during making process.

Added sleeve (and pockets) inside bag.

Narrow tanks needed sleeve to stabilize them when walking. This was discovered during testing when narrow tanks shifted in bag.

KEY DECISIONS

22PROPER FIT

Home therapist explained how old bulky regulator designs do not fit in current bags. I ensured the largest one fit (see right).

Comfortable straps with padding was key to comfort.

Easy to check oxygen levels with magnetic closure. Eliminated tube hole for easy entry and adjusting.

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tube exit

easy open magnet

lightweight and durable

1 inch quilted padding

padded strap

OXYGEN CARRIER

pockets inside and out(no need for purse)

fits tanks A-D

purse feet(pocket for narrow tanks)

(left and right)

24 ADJUSTABLE PURSE

1. backpack 2. loosen and pull straps 3. cross body purse

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HOLDING TANKS

Tank sits in center base of bag (wide diameter)

Tank Sleeve (highlighted above in red) holds A and B size tanks so they do not move.

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HOLDING ESSENTIALS

This carrier has both zip and easy access pockets. There are 5 pockets (highlighted in red). These were added after the first version did not have enough pockets.

outer pocket upper zip pocket 3 internal pockets for keys, inhaler, phone, etc.

26 27 SEATED EVENT

see regulator

sit and stand

28 TEACHING CLASS

hands free

balance

28 29 PUBLIC TRANSPORT

easy on/off

fits all items

30XL PROJECTS ART GALLERY SHOW

30 31 FUTURE

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32 FUTURE

Men, wheelchair users, walker users, mothers with babies, are future targets.

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THANK YOU Jaimie Gerst

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36WORKS CITED