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Development and rapid prototyping of an illuminated mirror for waterbirths – from concept to prototypeBrook-Smith S1, Robson M2, Johnson N2, Lam A3, Leonard M4, Torres-Sanchez C2, Desmulliez M4, Denison FC5*
1Lothian Birth Centre, Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK 2Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing, Loughborough University, UK 3Bioquarter Commercialisation, University of Edinburgh, UK 4School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK 5Tommy’s Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, UK * Further information: Contact [email protected]
ConclusionUsing an innovative and interactive product design process, our multidisciplinary study team have developed an illuminated, flexible prototype mirror for use in waterbirths.
AcknowledgementsWe would like to acknowledge funding support from Edinburgh and Lothian’s Health Foundation, Edinburgh Bioquarter and Tommy’s, the Baby Charity.
BackgroundWater immersion during labour and birth is recognized as a means of empowering women and reducing need for analgesia. Although waterbirth is a ‘hands off’ birth, midwives are required to monitor progress and assist controlled delivery of the head. Viewing using a handheld mirror can often be restricted due to maternal position or inadequate lighting, which has implications for infection control and manual handling. There is therefore an unmet clinical need for a mirror with an inbuilt light suitable for use in waterbirths.
ObjectivesTo: i) undertake a scoping exercise with midwives and expecting mothers to identify the appropriate product specifications; ii) develop and iii) test prototypes based on these specifications suitable for commercial manufacture.
Design Pathway and Results:1) Device specification: The device requirements were specified in consultation with midwives of different seniorities attending to their requests and experiences of waterbirths and other key healthcare professionals. Core design features were specified by consensus using on-line questionnaires, face-to-face discussions and poster voting (Figure 1).
Centre forReproductiveHealth
THE UNIVERSITYof EDINBURGH
A novel weekly electronic ‘Comic Book’ was used to facilitate the design process (e.g. ergonomics, nature of illumination) and to obtain feedback to ensure ongoing engagement with our midwifery target end-users (Figure 2).
3) Prototype testing Following feedback and further prototype developments (Figure 4), we are currently working with companies to specify a route for commercial manufacture and marketing. We have secured design protection rights for our Phase 3 prototype.
WEEK ONE… THE START OF THE PROJECT. THE WEEK PRIOR TO THE MEETING IN EDINBURGH WAS SPENT RESEARCHING CURRENT MIRRORS, CREATING CONCEPTS AND DEVELOPING MOCK UP MODELS TO DEMONSTRATE AT THE MEETING….
…CONCEPT IDEAS…
…SOME DEMONSTRATIONS…
…THE MEETING WAS A SUCCESS! WE GATHERED INFORMATION ON DESIRABLE PROPERTIES FOR THE NEW MIRROR INCLUDING BEING: LIGHTWEIGHT, ADJUSTABLE, BENDY, BUILT IN LIGHT, ETC. IN WEEK TWO WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING ON SOME NEW CONCEPTS BASED ON THE INFORMATION GATHERED.
…EDINBURGH MEETING…
CURRENT MIRRORS
CONFIDENTIAL
2) Prototype development:Schematics and Computer Aided Drawings of potential devices were used to inform the rapid prototyping techniques used to generate a Phase 1 prototype (Figure 3).
Figure 2. Example of Comic Book.
Figure 1. Poster used to vote for key design features
Figure 3. Testing of Phase 1 prototype.
Figure 4. Clarity of view with current prototype.
