Eli Lily Research

Main Objective

Addressing the pain points of patients who are diagnosed with MS, what is already out there on the market, what people do to accommodate their struggles, and what they wish people understood about the disease.

To learn more about the design itself, click below.

Design

Research Stages

General Knowledge of MS

Got a general basis of MS symptoms, where lesions are located and how they affect the body, what lesions are, etc.

Market Research

Looked at products that people with MS are often recommended to use to benefit their day to day lives.

Interviews

Together we had 12 call interviews with people with MS from all over the US. All of them had very different symptoms, stories, and experiences.

Interview Analysis

Using Otter.ai we analyzed the recorded interviews. It helped us give a general summary of the pain points in the recording and a full transcript. The common theme we noticed: Need for self advocation + self monitoring

Material Research

Focused on designing our wearable lesion monitoring vest with light cooling materials that can be be worn under clothing, and how we might use new developing materials.

Interviewee Feedback

(Still in Progress)

Technology Research

Looking ahead in 10 years, what technology might progress to be used for a product like this? We evaluated the history of ultrasounds, how they are currently developing them to be more precise, and then projected the technology to be advanced enough to monitor lesions on the spine.

About MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that damages the central nervous system, disrupting communication between the brain and body and causing symptoms such as fatigue, mobility issues, cognitive challenges, and impact on mental health and relationships.

Market Research

Various objects that are used to assist people with MS everyday at work, at home, and outdoors.

Interview Questions

Preliminary Questions
When were you diagnosed with MS
What did you experience that lead you to get a diagnosis
Did your lifestyle change after your diagnosis? In what way?

General Experience with MS
Can you describe your daily experience living with MS?
What are some of the most challenging aspects of MS for you personally?
How does MS affect your mobility and strength on a day-to-day basis?

Physical and Functional Challenges
Which physical parts of your body are most affected by MS symptoms?
Are there specific activities that are particularly difficult due to muscle weakness or fatigue?
How does MS impact your balance and coordination?
Do you experience difficulty with fine motor skills, such as using your hands for tasks like writing, typing, or handling objects?

Pain and Discomfort
What kind of pain or discomfort do you experience, and how do you typically manage it?
Are there particular positions or movements that exacerbate your pain or make it hard to stay comfortable?
Do you find it challenging to get a good night’s sleep because of physical discomfort?

Assistive Tools and Devices
Are you currently using any assistive devices or products to help with daily tasks? If so, how effective are they?
Is there a tool or product you wish existed that could make your life easier?
Have you encountered any specific issues or frustrations with the design of products you use?

Cognitive and Emotional Impact
Beyond physical symptoms, do you experience any cognitive challenges such as memory loss or difficulty concentrating?
How do you stay motivated or organized when facing fatigue or mental fog?

Trends and Unmet Needs
Are there any emerging trends or new technologies that you’re hopeful could help manage MS symptoms?
What gaps or voids do you feel exist in current MS treatment or support, especially in terms of physical comfort and daily functionality?
Do you have any suggestions for how everyday products could be improved to better meet your needs?

Accessibility and Convenience
When shopping for products, what factors do you prioritize—ease of use, comfort, durability, etc.?
Are there any everyday tasks that could be made easier with more thoughtful or innovative design?

KEY TESTIMONIALS

"You have to learn to advocate for yourself with doctors. Sometimes, you know if you have problems and you don't feel like they're listening, or maybe you're not adequately describing something, or whatever, there are times when you can really get lost in the shuffle, and you really do have to be persistent and and you don't feel like you're being heard, you have to find another doctor."

Jane Doe 1

"If you can't drive yourself, you're restricted to the care you can find. I feel like that would be really hard. And so someone living in that kind of rural area, and they don't have access to that, but they're tied down to this place. Like, how do you, how would you even overcome that"

Jane Doe 2

How might we design a device that tackles the disconnect between doctors and the patients that can't find it easily accessible to get to the nearest specialist?

Market Research (home monitoring)

Lesion Scanning Research

Ultrasound History and Quick Upbringing

Ultrasound Technology Advancement Prediction (10 years from now)

Recent New Developments in Ultrasound Technology

Our Design