Press Release
Bronze A' Design Award in Medical Devices and Medical Equipment Design Goes to Smarthaler Smart pMDI Inhaler by Jacek Mikosz
Jacek Mikosz of FindAir Sp. z o.o. recognized for medical devices and medical equipment design by the international grand jury of the 2023 - 2024 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 27, 2024 /DesignNewswire/ Smarthaler Smart pMDI Inhaler by Jacek Mikosz of FindAir Sp. z o.o., designed for FindAir, has been granted the Bronze A' Design Award in the Medical Devices and Medical Equipment Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The award was conferred within the 2023 - 2024 A' Design Award & Competition and was decided through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who scored anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
About the Bronze A' Design Award
The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
About Smarthaler Smart pMDI Inhaler
Smarthaler is a digital pMDI Inhaler, that uses real-time AI analysis and data collection to guide asthma and COPD patients toward correct inhalation technique and enhanced drug deposition. Its modular design incorporates advanced flow sensing algorithms, allowing it to operate like a standard inhaler while offering the added benefit of a reusable electronic module attached to the back of the aerosol dispenser. After each usage, it provides instant feedback on inhalation quality. This data is sent to an app for immediate sharing with doctors or care teams, facilitating better care.
About Jacek Mikosz
Polish Designer, Chief Product Officer, and Co-Founder of FindAir, based in Krakow. I embarked on a journey fueled by personal observations of the struggles faced by those close to me suffering from asthma. FindAir was born out of a desire to address these challenges through innovative design and technology. Our work has been recognized with numerous awards in startup innovation competitions, a testament to our commitment to creating products that offer win-win situations for all stakeholders. My driving force is to create products that eliminate limitations and empower individuals to reach their full potential.
About FindAir Sp. z o.o.
FindAir is a med-tech company that provides smart inhaler devices and telemedicine systems to support asthma & COPD therapy.
Award Record
With this recognition, Jacek Mikosz of FindAir Sp. z o.o. is a winner of 1 A' Design Award.
About the A' Medical Devices and Medical Equipment Design Award
The A' Medical Product Design Award is an international design competition recognizing good medical product designs by best brands and manufacturers worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to medical product designers, medical equipment manufacturers, biomedical engineers and medical device brands from all countries. Typical entries include stethoscopes, wheelchairs, defibrillators, MRI machines, surgical instruments and prosthetics. The awarded medical product designs are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/medical-product
About A' Design Award & Competition
Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://dezigners.org/159899
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/159899
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!159899
- Laureate Profile: https://dezigners.org/d/353818
- Further Information from the Laureate: https://findair.eu/
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Smarthaler Smart pMDI Inhaler
- Function
- Smart pMDI Inhaler
- Category
- Medical Devices and Medical Equipment Design
- Discipline
- Industrial Design
- Industry
- Health
- Colors
- Lavender, Silver, Gainsboro, Dark Gray and Dark Slate Gray
- Images
- 5
- Client
- FindAir
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Jacek Mikosz
- Country
- Poland
- Brand
- FindAir Sp. z o.o.
- Recognition
- Bronze A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2023 - 2024
- Design ID
- #159899
Credits
- Team
- Michał Czyż, Tomasz Mikosz, Katarzyna Skowronek, Paweł Słapek, Michał Bobrowski, Konrad Gryboś, Szymon Walasik, Marek Nowak, Hubert Tacik and Radosław Sotwin
- Image Credits
- FindAir Sp. z o.o. Internal Materials
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- The modular smart inhaler device features a measurement system that enables real-time identification and correction of inhalation errors, enhancing the effectiveness of drug delivery without disrupting the inhalation process. Integrating a verification system directly into the actuator's design, ensures patients can more efficiently and effectively adhere to prescribed therapies while developing correct inhalation techniques habits. Information is sent to an app, where it can also be shared.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration for the device emerged from observing close relatives struggle with conventional inhalers during asthma attacks, leading to insufficient relief despite multiple inhaler usage attempts. This prompted a deeper investigation into inhalation techniques research, revealing that 83,7% of users exhibit incorrect usage, primarily due to the complex coordination required by inhalers. The sequential motion set (precise timing, strength, and duration) presents a significant challenge.
- Research
- Research aimed to refine pmdi inhaler experience, employing a mixed-method approach. We conducted medical experiments, and observational studies complemented by desk research to gather base data and validate it in clinical trials, and lab tests. Using custom measurement setups and digital tools, we gathered data from a diverse group of patients and healthcare professionals. The findings emphasized the need for modular, intuitive inhalers that improve user inhaler technique and treatment efficacy.
- Challenge
- The primary challenge was integrating advanced technology into a design as familiar as a traditional pMDI inhaler, ensuring it was approachable yet innovative. Our objective was for users to adopt this advanced inhaler as naturally as they would their standard one, but with added functionalities for a richer experience. Developing a modular design was crucial to allow for the sustainable use of electronic components, enabling users to update or replace parts without discarding the entire device.
- Realization and Technology
- The solution results from extensive user research, clinical trials, and data collection from patients and medical professionals. It represents a multidisciplinary collaboration, combining expertise from design, medical, IT, artificial intelligence, and pharmacokinetics fields. The device's electronics integration within a medical-grade plastic enclosure employs precision injection molding rigorously tested and validated through lab-based pharmacokinetic studies to ensure durability and safety.
- Operation and Interaction
- The inhaler functions like a regular inhaler but with an added feature: an electronic module that fits onto the back. This module is optional, allowing the inhaler to be used in its basic form or enhanced with digital feedback. After using the inhaler, users receive immediate feedback on how well they inhaled the medication. This information is sent directly to an app, where it can also be shared instantly with a doctor. The device serves dual purposes: delivering medication, or training tool.
- Project Duration and Location
- Project started May 2021 in (Kraków, Poland) and finished in December 2023 (Kraków, Poland) as part of FindAir research supported by a grant received from The National Centre for Research and Development.
- Specifications
- Device Dimensions: 29,7 mm x 57 mm x 93 mm Packaging Dimension: 107 mm x 40 mm x 140 mm Material: PP/ABS Battery: Rechargeable Port type: USB-C Connection: Bluetooth Low Energy Compatible Apps: FindAir Smarthaler (Android/iOS), FindAir Doctor Web App Accessories: USB Hub that enables using it without the phone HFA Placebo Bottles Additional Actuators
- Keywords
- smart inhaler, iot, medical device, modular, digital health, telemedicine, education, pMDI, inhaler, inhaler technique
