Reimagining Medical Safety: A Smart, Touchless Sterile Barrier System
The Challenge
How might we design a breakthrough medical device that dramatically reduces the risk of infection and cross-contamination during routine patient exams—without disrupting workflow or comfort?
The Insight
Healthcare professionals are overwhelmed by time constraints and infection control protocols. Despite advancements in medicine, many tools like stethoscopes, thermometers, and diagnostic equipment still rely on manual sanitation, increasing the risk of human error and microbial transmission
The Problem
Current sterilization solutions are either underused, ineffective, or time-consuming. Manual cleaning is inconsistent, and disposable barriers are often cumbersome or overlooked. This leads to preventable hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), extra healthcare costs, and reduced patient trust.
Concept Development
Through blue sky ideation, we envisioned a compact, smart medical device that uses motion detection and automated dispensing to apply a sterile, single-use barrier over diagnostic equipment (e.g., stethoscope diaphragm) within seconds—completely touch-free. The system integrates with hospital protocols, tracks usage data, and reinforces sterile practices without slowing clinicians down.
Solution &Outcome
We delivered a product direction called VaporEase™, designed to transform steaming into a modern, intuitive part of daily routine.