SnapSeal
Course
Design Thinking Communication I
Role
Human centered product designer
Skills
Prototyping, Testing, Research, Teamwork
Design Objective
Creating a hands-free mask to accommodate mouthstick or sip and puff devices.
My Learnings
This project was my first encounter with product design. I discovered the thrill of bringing sketches, theoretical concepts and ideas to life. I learned about the dynamic nature of design, continually adapting the product to meet the needs of hemiplegic patients based on direct client feedback.
Problem Statement
People with a high level spinal cord injury or other similar injuries need access to their mouthstick or sip and puff while wearing a COVID-19 mask.
The mouthstick, held by the mouth and tongue, acts like an extra appendage for tasks like typing or using electronics.
The sip and puff device, a straw-like attachment, allows wheelchair control through sipping or puffing, enabling movement in various directions.
Sip and puff device
Mouthstick
Key Requirements
-Easily opened and closed hands-free
-No visible opening when closed
-Minimal opening when closed with mouth stick or sip and puff
-Reusable
-Compatible with surgical masks
-Washable
SnapSeal in open position
The Design
Section view of the magnetic mechanism
The SnapSeal mechanism attaches to any surgical mask, transforming it into a jaw-activated, hands-free mask that allows the usage of assistive devices while protecting against COVID-19.
After cutting a slit in the middle of the surgical mask, the snap buttons ensure that the cloth with embedded magnets stay in place.
Magnets close the slit, ensuring a tight seal when devices like a sip and puff or mouthstick are not in use or closing around the devices when in use. The slit opens when the user opens their mouth to use these devices.
We conducted a thorough research on hemiplegic patients and were in close communication with our client to design the most comfortable and convenient product. I worked on prototyping, hand-sewing the buttons and assembling the final product.
Close up of snaps and sewn-in magnets
How Does It Work?
Click on the video to see how a potential caregiver would attach SnapSeal onto a regular surgical mask!