HeartRead is an automated external defibrillator (AED) that triggers untrained bystanders to act and proceed quickly in an emergency situation.

When someone suffers a cardiac event, a bystander just needs to call 911. The operator will assign an ambulance and activate nearby HeartReads. Bystanders can easily spot them, or a passerby can grab one and bring it to the needed location. Bystanders are guided through simple step-by-step instructions to apply. The directions emphasize analyzing the heart function to reduce bystanders’ fear and encourage them to take action.

The leading challenge was to shorten the time from the onset of symptoms to defibrillation. Every second counts in a cardiac arrest situation: the chance of survival decreases 7%–10% with each minute that passes. The majority of people are aware of the importance of an AED, but they don’t know where to find one, how to use it, or when to use it.

The most time consuming process is getting an AED to the victim. Currently, bystanders have to search to find an AED and bring it back to the victim.

Many untrained users do not know what is inside the box labeled AED. In fact, they assume that there are conventional paddles that bystanders need to push against the victim’s chest during shock delivery.

Most AEDs in the market analyze the heart’s rhythm and only deliver shock if needed. However, the biggest fear most people have is using the AED incorrectly and causing more harm to the victim. Even individuals trained in CPR-AED fear they might deliver an unnecessary shock.

The original challenge was to design for the future of medical products. Focusing on the challenge of redesigning the AED, I found four important criteria and developed strategies for answering each one:

Time - If defibrillation is applied within two minutes after cardiac arrest, the chance of survival is 80%.
Answer: make the steps extremely simple and minimal.

Awareness - More than half of us don’t know what cardiac arrest (or an AED) is.
Answer: instead of teaching users how or when to use the AED, change the stereotype of AED use.

Access - Many don’t know where the nearest AED is, and it takes time to find and bring it.
Answer: Instead of bystanders running around to find the nearest AED, create a system where the AED finds them.

Confidence - “What if I do wrong?” becomes the primary worry for bystanders, but doing nothing is worse.
Answer: AED analyses the heart and decides whether to operate. It will not deliver a shock unless it’s needed.

My research started with taking the First Aid/CPR/AED training course. Experiencing the training process grew empathy for bystanders who happen to encounter a situation where AED is needed. Once you are trained, using current AED was not hard. This was a design opportunity: why do people need to be trained to use AED if it was so simple to use? Interviews with five people who have AED certification and one who had experienced an emergency situation where AED was needed revealed that even AED-certified people forget about the training, and are unsure using AED in real life situation.

Initial secondary research led to the development of the four criteria. From there, initial ideation led to concepts that might answer those criteria.

Iteration through User Test – After concept development through sketches and mock-ups, I sought feedback from a Red Cross trainer. After identifying the main direction, user tests were done by 10 non-trained users with three mock-ups. The only instruction given to users while testing was “Please save this person’s life using this device.” Through design evolution, time of defibrillation decreased from 2min to 30 sec, and most users commented how easy it was.

A task analysis of an existing AED allowed me to see where the process could be simplified: I could reduce the number of steps of operation to allow immediate defibrillation, provide clear visual instructions to follow even in chaotic situations, and orient the machine to align with the directions of the actions needed.

I started to question the idea of bystanders trying to find a defibrillator. What if the AED finds them instead? I thought that with GPS locating ability and a network connection, the 911 operator could find and activate an AED nearby and send the EMS service at the same time. The AED could flash and call attention to itself, and also display the location where the emergency was occurring. One of the bystanders, or even someone passing by, could then get the AED to the spot where it’s needed.

Finally, I needed to address the issue of bystanders being afraid to use the device. The word “defibrillator” is overwhelming and scary for users. I wanted to emphasize the analyzing function of the AED, because whether the defibrillation is needed or not, getting the bystanders to apply the pads onto the victim as soon as possible would be key to saving a life. I developed the name, “HeartRead,” and designed the logo to communicate this analyzing function.

I identified the players that surround AED: cardiac arrest victim, bystander, 911 operators, EMS, doctors, distributer, and manufacturer, as well as the owner and facilities staff who would install and maintain the device.

Materials Exploration – A graphene super-capacitor was identified to replace current battery and capacitor. Since these two components are the largest in the current AED, this replacement allowed reduction in size, mass and cost.

The benefits are:
Higher chance of survival
Major decrease in time to defibrillation
Increase in bystanders’ confidence
Accessibilty
Easy maintenance

HeartRead has great potential for shortening the time to defibrillation. Users don’t need to remember where the nearest AED is - how or when to use it - and can still save a life.

Currently, there are no AEDs on the market that can be remotely activated by an 911 operator. Since this feature can drastically shorten the time to defibrillation, it is a huge advantage in the market. Active AED also benefits the purchaser by providing ease of maintenance.

HeartRead is half the size of the current AED, and the components are visible through the polycarbonate case. Being able to observe the contents clearly enables users to imagine the scenario of the AED in use. The hexagon shape makes an iconic figure on the wall.

The HeartRead AED offers clear visual and audible step-by-step instructions to follow even in chaotic situations. The steps are simple: cut clothing from chest, apply pads, and step away. Orientation of the machine is aligned with direction of actions. Where existing AEDs ask for a check of the pulse and breathing to determine whether an AED is necessary, HeartRead analyzes the heart rhythm and decides for itself. The priority becomes getting the pads on the chest as soon as possible. Minimizing the choice and showcasing the analyzing function reduces the fear of doing something wrong. HeartRead changes the users’ mindset from implementing the AED to shock a person, to using it to determine if shock is necessary.