A rescue kit for counteracting the life-threatening effects of an Opioid Drug Overdose
The Problem
Public opinion surrounding drug overdose entertains the misconception that addiction is a problem effecting only the unfit and undesirables of society. This is simply not the case. Healthcare professionals worldwide agree that addiction is a serious medical and mental condition that requires treatment rather than incarceration.
The United States has a growing epidemic of accidental and preventable deaths caused by licit and illicit drug overdose—jumping six percent from 2012 to 2013, while in 2014, the loss of life from drug overdose spiked even higher to 47,000.
An Unwieldy "Solution"
For more than three decades, naloxone has been used by medical personnel to pharmacologically reverse the effects of overdoses. Naloxone medication reverses the effects of heroin and prescription drug overdose by blocking receptors in the brain, temporarily restoring normal breathing and providing a chance for medical treatment.
While the drug itself is cheap and easy to manufacture, the device used to atomize the drug into a nasal spray is akin to a rubix cube. The current solution used every day by emergency responders,opioid victims, and their loved ones is riddled with problems relating to accessibility and administration. Even with proper training and practice the kit is challenging to use.
Hurdles to Accessibility
Emergency personnel are currently the first line of defense to stopping overdose fatalities and are trained in how to use Naloxone both intravenously and more commonly intranasally.
The peers and family members of overdose victims are most often the actual first responders and are best positioned to intervene. Even with proper training and practice the current kit is challenging to use.
A prescription as well as mandatory training with a pharmacist is required to acquire Naloxone. The regulations are slowly changing state by state and the eventual goal is to make Naloxone available over-the-counter nationwide.
Clarity From Chaos
Thorough field research allowed us to develop a deeper understanding of the current landscape in which Naloxone resides.
We then formed a set of goals and a clear hierarchy of importance as to what problems must be addressed.
At the top of the list is improving the clarity and reliability of the kit's administration, and addressing problems of accessibility for those in need of Naloxone.
A quick peek at some of the understanding gained through researching the problems surrounding drug addiction and overdose.
Quick. Universal. United.
Our initial ideation explored a vast sea of possibilities ranging from the strange and wild to the believably practical.
From this process we focused upon areas that directly responded to findings from our research and this bore fruit in three areas that were explored and incorporated further.
We moved forward in designing an atomizer that has a rapid and secure release system for medication intranasally, can be used by people of all shapes and sizes, and is pre-assembled.
The form of the device speaks semantically, rather than textually, to be inserted into the nose and is purposefully asymmetrical to fit snugly in the hand, reassuring the user in their moment of chaos and providing an angled entry.
Iterative prototyping aided in focusing and refining the proportions of the atomizer. User testing with various prototypes allowed us to directly evaluate the effectiveness of our decisions.
The dual nostril atomizer solves the previous need to spray half a vial into each nostril, and the flexible, silicone nozzle allows the device to properly fit and seal the nostrils of a wide range of victims.
Our Solution
A Re-imagined Rescue Kit
Our concept streamlines the proper administration of Naloxone in a high-stress situation through key improvements to the original physical device. These improvements primarily combat human error and reliability.
This concept for a Naloxone OD Rescue Kit solves the usability problems of the physical device currently on the market, addresses the more nuanced issues of limited accessibility, and combats the social stigma revolving around addiction.
One of the most important steps to treating an overdose victim is called out in two major places. “CALL 911” is clearly stated both on the protective cap of the atomizer as well as the first step of the instructions. This is not only the most important step but the most likely to be delayed or forgotten.
Naloxone is not a cure but away to extend the window of time to receive proper treatment. The re-designed set of instructions are clear and concise. They provide structure and guidance to the user without adding to the chaos.
“CALL 911” is clearly stated both on the protective cap of the atomizer as well as the first step of the instructions. This is not only the most important step but the most likely to be delayed or forgotten.
Recognition
The Naloxone OD Rescue Kit was selected for a Silver Award in the 2016 International Design Excellence Awards.
This was a selection made from over 1,700 projects from 30-plus countries that competed in IDEA 2016. We are honored to have been recognized for our work and hope the exposure will help galvanize a response to the growing problem of overdose death.
In Collaboration With
Christoffer Hart
Advisors
Matthew Marzynski
Axel Roesler
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