MODMedix- Start-up
I was given $1000 dollars to create a product and start a company in 10 weeks. The company I made is Mod Medx and we make attachments for medical devices to make them look more fashionable and less like medical devices. I got the idea during a weekend start up competition and continued it from there. I focused on crutches since one of our initial founders during that competition was a chronic crutch user.
I compared the current crutch market to glasses. Glasses were considered medical devices until the 1990's, when they became more of a fashion item and called "eyewear". In the 1950's, the NHS had glasses that would blend in with peoples faces to hide the fact they wore glasses. Now glasses are used to frame the face, stand out, and make a statement. I want crutches to do the same
The initial start to this was the guy above who pointed out this issue. Below is the closest competitor that could be used for any medical device, but is difficult to apply, can mar the device, and don't look simple to fit with peoples outfits.
My design goals:
Simple to use and apply.
Modern that would look like current trends and could fit most outfits.
Inviting, making the devices more than just a medical device and more of a talking point or something that fits a persons aesthetic.
Simple to use and apply.
Modern that would look like current trends and could fit most outfits.
Inviting, making the devices more than just a medical device and more of a talking point or something that fits a persons aesthetic.
These were the two I made for the final. They are made to not hide the crutch, but to use the crutches natural properties to accentuate the pattern and form. The help guide and frame crutch and easily snap onto it, for easy removal and exchange dependent on the users style of the day.
The business plan. Getting the material, having the forms cut out, the formed and sent to the individual customer. Also potentially selling it paralympic or amputee teams, to add to their uniforms and getting more exposure.
With the current production methods, it takes a long time to cut and form them, but with one sheet you can cut out about 8 pairs of crutches, which also would lower the cutting cost. Since you are cutting out the forms, you can easily cut out new patterns for sport teams or events
I mostly used the funds from the University this term, but I also used my own personal funds for certain parts. To continue this I would need more funding either from investors or a sponsorship through sports teams, like the American Amputee Soccer League.
Soccer is a sport played around the world, with leagues all over for amputees who use these forearm crutches. The form wraps around the crutch tightly so it doesn't move around on the crutches as they're used. Here is the Sierra Leone amputee soccer league if they used these covers on their crutches.
