VitaBreath is a unique portable healthcare device providing relief for the 210 million people suffering from severe shortness of breath without relying on pharmaceuticals. Severe shortness of breath (dyspnea) is the prime symptom for 210 million global sufferers of COPD. The VitaBreath is a portable healthcare device that will establish a new handheld treatment option without relying on pharmaceuticals. With a portable ergonomic design, single button functionality and weighing less than a bottle of water, the VitaBreath supports freedom, confidence and discretion - the three core needs of COPD patients as identified by research - enabling users to continue everyday activities in the home and outside.

The design brief:

•Develop a form and interaction aligned with the needs of COPD patients and the Philips design language

• Ensure that the design is developed for the range of capabilities possessed by people with COPD, including simple and clear user interactions.

The design challenge:

Bring this innovative product from research to market in an accelerated 1 year effort, while ensuring the core needs of the COPD patients are met.

The User Insights:

A people-centered process, including exploratory and evaluative research with COPD patients in multiple contexts of use informed the product design to balance the core needs of COPD patients in treating the single most important challenge reported, shortness of breath:

1) Confidence

· When you have COPD, everyday activities like putting away dishes, walking up steps, or stepping outside into cold or humid air can trigger severe shortness of breath, making it feel like you are drowning. Every activity requires a calculation of effort so that you don't trigger an event, and even then it is impossible to anticipate all triggers, like a strong perfume worn by someone passing by at the grocery store, or an especially long walk to the restroom at a restaurant. "I have to think of all sorts of things that normal breathers never have to think about." With the portable, handheld VitaBreath, people managing COPD can continue doing the things they love around the house and outside the home knowing that even if they encounter something that triggers shortness of breath, fast and reliable relief is close at hand.

2) Freedom

· Weighing less than a bottle of water, the portable and ergonomically designed VitaBreath can be with you wherever you need it. With a long-lasting rechargeable battery and no limitations on frequency of use like some pharmaceuticals, the device can relieve shortness of breath throughout the day and night. A durable, integrated carrying strap allows easy carrying whether bringing the laundry basket up the stairs or tending the garden outdoors.

3) Discretion

· The Philips design language of the VitaBreath brings contemporary, approachable aesthetics and interactions to a reliable medical device so it can fit in wherever you are. This critical aspect of the design allows people to keep their VitaBreath accessible instead of hidden away in a drawer, so quick relief from shortness of breath is never far away.

How was it developed?

Accelerated program started in advanced research and quickly transferred to a collaborative development effort between Philips Design, Engineering, Clinical Research, Marketing and Regulatory colleagues within the Sleep & Respiratory Care Business Group. From research to regulatory submission this effort was completed in 1 year.

Philips Design's iterative people-centered approach grounded the form, interaction and use parameters in insights derived from multiple touchpoints with COPD patients and their caregivers.

The result:

The dyspnea relief device is a first-of –its-kind healthcare product that provides relief from severe shortness of breath without relying on pharmaceuticals.

Innovative design:

The dyspnea relief device is a first-of –its-kind healthcare product that provides relief from severe shortness of breath without relying on pharmaceuticals.

Target groups and benefit:

The more than 200 million consumers who experience shortness of breath due to COPD. Consumers experiencing severe shortness of breath as a result of COPD will receive rapid relief without the use of pharmaceuticals, reducing the time they suffer and enabling users to confidently continue everyday activities.

Expected business benefit/result:

Outcomes of Clinical studies have shown extremely positive clinical and qualitative benefits among COPD patients indicating a promising new business category for the Respiratory Care business.

Ecologically friendly:

Rechargeable power source. 3 year expected product life. Cleanable, reusable mouthpiece and filter last for 30 days of regular use. Non-pharmaceutical approach reduces biohazard in the waste stream.

Reason to submit:

This is a first-of-its-kind home health care device that will establish a new treatment option for the 210 million people suffering from COPD globally.

A people-centered process designed the product to balance the core needs of COPD patients- Freedom, Confidence and Discretion. Intuitive single button functionality, ergonomic form and carrying features, and customizable replaceable parts enable simple integration into users' lifestyles. Vitabreath applies proven respiratory care technology in an entirely new category offering portable, hand-held relief for acute shortness of breath without the use of pharmaceuticals.