Background //
In Britain 3 million people live with Type 1 or 2 diabetes, making one of the most wide spread diseases in the nation. If a diabetics blood-sugar level drops below 4mmol/l then it is likely that they will suffer a hypoglycaemic attack. This can result in seizures, loss of consciousness or in sever cases, coma. Maintaining blood-sugar levels is vital to diabetics and GlucoTabs help them do this. Diabetics will usually take a couple of tablets during a normal day. However in the case of a hypoglycaemic attack they may need to take two or three tablets in successively to quickly increase their blood sugar levels.
Brief //
Design a portable dispenser for GlucoTabs. Used by Type 1 and 2 diabetes patients to help them feel more confident taking tablets out in public.
ADMINISTER
LOCATE
ONSET
Scenario //
When diabetics experience a hypoglycaemic attack it is vital that it is identified quickly and blood-sugar levels are increased. Most diabetics will be able to diagnose their symptoms, this means that they can locate their GlucoTabs and increase their blood-sugar level.
PROTOTYPING //
Prototyping was essential in with this project. It was crucial to test the annular snap joints (ASJs) and the spring return mechanism. From the prototype we determined that the ASJ worked as planned, creating a sealed unit that would not be easy to open.
The spring mechanism threw up more issues. We needed a much stronger spring to return the tablet holder effectively. Due to the spring not being correct the tablet holder could be pushed lower than desired and so the alignment rib would slip out of its slot. We now think that an alignment rib should be between the top and bottom sections of the tablet holder instead, to prevent them spinning. An arrow would be moulded on the top push area to indicate the direction the tablet would come out from.
