Empowering children with neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is a rare form of cancer which mostly affects young children. Children who suffer from neuroblastoma are on constant treatment with intravenous infusion for months. During this period, patients are limited because they have to carry around the IV lines, a heavy medicine cassette and pump. This causes that they are not only limited in their freedom of movement, but also in their ability to be a child.
This new bag design protects the medicine kit while simultaneously empowering these children. We started with assumptions about what children and parents would want, shattered these by doing elaborate user research and designed a completely different experience with the emphasis on freedom and personal wishes without losing sight of the medical requirements. This was possible due to our centre position between our client Eusa Pharma, the medical specialists and the great openness of everyone involved in the process.
Empowers children with neuroblastoma
Patients can customize the design over and over again
Thorough stakeholders involvement
The design
Young children are not made to sit still and be careful. Now, they don’t have to. The improved bag protects the medicine cassette, pump and the intravenous line. This enables the patients to run, play and move any way they want because the weight of the kit is better distributed, unlike it’s bag predecessor. Children can choose additional strap support on the chest or hips. The pump can easily be accessed in case of emergency and the contact details are immediately visible in the right place. Next to the cassette and pump, there is a designated space for emergency batteries and personal artwork.
Flexible
The IV line is firmly strapped to the bag, which prevents loose hanging lines and uncomfortable accidents that causes pull force on the IV wound. The patients have the flexible choice between left, right, top or bottom guidance and shirt entrance to enable personal comfort preferences. During user research we learned that these can differ severely.
Soft fabrics have been used in the neck area of the bag as the patient’s skin can become more sensitive during treatment.
Personal touch
The patients can change the design of the bag as they like and as many times as they want with the supplied fabric sticker sheet. They can make the bag their own and do not have to wear a stigmatising medical bag. This gives them a way to show their own design preferences and personality.
Stakeholders
We value involving key stakeholders in the design process. Throughout Qarziba bag's development, we collaborated closely with patients, parents, specialist nurses, pharmacists, and VKK representatives. Concepts and prototypes were discussed with them in order to get their valuable feedback. This enriched the design, honoring their unique stories and preferences, leading to a design that does not interfere with those.
“A moving design process. We met inspiring people with the common goal of making lives of other people better. Their critical knowledge and feedback fed the new design. I am proud that we came up with something that works ánd can spark a bit of fun in serious times.“
—
Floor Beeftink
,
Industrial designer at Spark
