About the Project
Research
Insights & Design Goal
Final Design
Design Process
Prototyping
Conclusion
Other Projects
Back to Top
StableSmile: Solution for Tremors
StableSmile is specifically designed to revolutionize toothbrushing for those with Essential Tremors. We aim to simplify daily oral hygiene, making it effortless and effective for individuals facing challenges with fine motor movements.
Role Design Lead
Project Duration January 2023 - June 2023
Product Design and Enginerring
About the Project
Over 200 million people in the world experience tremors. Strokes, Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremors are all forms of involuntary shaking. Essential Tremors can transform routine tasks into daily struggles, particularly with personal care. Toothbrushing, a fundamental aspect of oral hygiene, becomes a daunting task for many.
StableSmile directly addresses this challenge. It minimizes the need for fine motor control and stabilizes tremors, making the brushing process smoother and more manageable.
Problem
Millions of people with tremors struggle to perform daily tasks like toothbrushing due to involuntary muscle movements. This condition compromises their independence and quality of life.
Kathleen
Essential Tremor patient
Video courtesy of Dr. Garth Cosgrove
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Design Opportunity
There is an urgent need for adaptive tools that enable individuals with tremors to maintain personal hygiene independently.
Market Scan and Opportunities
There is a pressing need for an accessible and user-friendly solution in the market to assist individuals struggling with fine motor control. Currently, many of the available options fall short due to their high costs or the continued requirement for precise hand movements. While products like weighted handles improve grip stability, they still demand a significant degree of manual dexterity. Similarly, premium solutions, though enhancing the cleaning experience, are not exempt from the necessity of fine motor skills. This scenario underscores a distinct market opportunity for an affordable, yet effective, alternative that successfully addresses these limitations.
Design Goal
Final Design
StableSmile Toothbrush
The cornerstone of StableSmile's design is its combination of ergonomic handling and advanced tremor-cancellation technology. These features work in tandem to significantly reduce the reliance on precise hand movements, thereby simplifying the toothbrushing process. This innovative approach not only enhances usability but also ensures effective oral cleaning.
Features
Brush Head Sizes
CMF Design
Detailed Design Description
The design for the alpha prototype consists of 4 subsystems: toothbrush head, handle, haptics/electronics, and user interface. An exploded view of all the components is shown in Figure on the right.
Go To Market Strategy
Design Process
Handle | Ergonomic Grip
Our product boasts a distinct ergonomic grip, meticulously crafted through extensive design studies and user testing on a standard brush, to ensure a perfect and secure fit in your hand, akin to a reverse glove. This attention to detail guarantees both comfort and a sense of security for the user.
Dentist Interview & User Testing
The product has undergone further validation through consultation with dentists specializing in treating patients with essential tremors, receiving positive feedback for its grip size, weight, and bristle design tailored for one side of the mouth. Insights gained emphasized the critical role of bristle geometry and materials in ensuring effective cleaning, while also debunking the necessity of vibrations for plaque removal, as a minimum of 3 millimeters of displacement proved sufficient.
Toothbrush Arc Engagement
Handle | Damping
The StableSmile stands out due to its tremor dampening feature, developed with the expertise of specialists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These experts have crafted a mathematical model to calculate the necessary weight for mitigating severe tremors ranging from 12 Hz to 5 Hz. Ingeniously, the required materials and weights have been seamlessly integrated within the handle's shell, ensuring both effectiveness and discretion in design.
User Interface | Haptic Timing Indicator
The StableSmile toothbrush is equipped with a haptic indication system. This system provides users with intuitive tactile feedback, signaling the appropriate moment to flip the brush. This feature is crucial in ensuring a comprehensive and balanced cleaning routine, as it guides users to evenly distribute their brushing efforts across all areas of the mouth. By incorporating this technology, StableSmile not only adapts to the needs of individuals with Essential Tremors but also enhances the overall brushing efficacy, ensuring optimal oral hygiene.
Handle | Charging
Testing Results
Prototyping Process
Conclusion
StableSmile represents more than an innovative toothbrush; it embodies a commitment to enhancing independence and confidence in personal care for individuals with Essential Tremors. It's a testament to thoughtful, empathetic design meeting practical needs.
©2024 CARINA LEE PORTFOLIO
GO BACK TO TOP