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HUSH
CPAP Machine
A sleep apnea solution designed to be comfortable, quiet, and effortless for travel.
OVERVIEW
For people who suffer from Sleep Apnea, the CPAP machine provides the life saving benefits of a restful night’s sleep. However, the machine is often disliked for its discomfort, difficulties while traveling, and ugly appearance.
Hush is a CPAP machine designed for travel and sleeping by a partner: with a compact form, carrying case, quiet sound, and stylish look.
ROLE
Product Designer
DURATION
Three Months.
Product Design Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Oregon, 2015.
Design
Process
Design Process
THE Problem
User & Market Research
Sleep Apnea patients often dislike their CPAP machine due to:
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• The machine is loud and may disrupt partners.
• The machine is heavy and inconvenient when traveling through airport security.
• The machine is a pain to clean between uses.
• Air pressure can be uncomfortable.
• Tube tangles lead to sleep interruptions.
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Meet Marlene!
Marlene Wants...
TRAVEL
A compact CPAP machine to take on work trips.
Average Day
COMFORT
To feel confident her CPAP won't wake her partner.
User:
Marlene is a 40 year old flight attendant living in Boston.
Her passions include cooking, travel, and socializing.
Average Day:
Marlene attends two flights per day and stays overnight at home or a hotel. On this day, she had dinner after work with her boyfriend, Joel.
STYLE
A stylish CPAP machine that reminds her of home.
USER PERSONA
RESEARCH
How to Make CPAP Machines Better.
To make a more compact, clean, and quiet CPAP machine, I researched new technology that could be used to upgrade current CPAP models.
• Quiet:
Mac inspired curved fan blades
• Compact:
Rechargeable lithium Ion battery
• Clean:
UV light
QUIET
COMPACT
Clean
Sketches
Form and Function / Broad Ideas
For ease of use and storage, I explored how the pieces of the CPAP machine could fit together.
To create a feeling of 'home away from home', the materials were inspired by Marlene's love of kitchenware, such as bamboo cutting boards.
For the face mask, I explored the addition of soft fabric around the face, and minimal mask solutions, such as a retainer attachment.
I also explored apps which could encourage exercise: a natural way to lessen Sleep Apnea.
PROTOTYPES
Quick Exploration
To quickly ideate form, function, and scale, I created these rough prototypes exploring a broad range of Sleep Apnea related themes:
• Compact CPAP machines.
• Wearable electronics to encourage exercise.
• Boxy and organic shapes.
REFINED
Drawings
Adobe Illustrator Drawings
I narrowed my scope to focus on travel-ready CPAP machines.
Inspired by the compartments of Bento lunch boxes and to-go mugs, I created a variation of CPAP designs focusing on interlocking forms, the air pressure interface dial, and access to a water tank for humidity.
CAD
Solidworks Prototypes
I limited my designs to two shapes and created CAD prototypes using Solidworks.
• Horizontal, 'Bento' CPAP.
• Vertical, 'To-Go' CPAP with organic shape.
The vertical design was more liked amongst my colleagues for it's unique appearance.
Features
HUSH
FEATURES
Compact
Rechargeable Lithuim Ion Battery saves space.
Carrying case makes traveling through airport
security a breeze.
Quiet
Curved fan blades eliminate noise.
Comfortable
Soft fabric covered tube.
Clean
Water tank with UV light keeps H2o sterile. Machine washable tube.
Elegant shape with cork non-slip base
Air pressure dial & humidifier refill cap
Artistic air vents
Design
Plug tube into machine.
Turn on machine. Adjust air pressure dial.
Put on the mask and sleep well!
HOW
TO
USE
CPAP Set
Pack Bag
All Set for the Flight
TRAVEL
Feedback
FEEDBACK
CPAP Machine Features
During the critique, the elegant design of the HUSH CPAP machine and the simple carrying case were well liked amongst my colleagues. Due to time constraints, I was unable to prototype the mask, but I would like to explore it in the future.
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