US – With sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) a global health concern, design firm NewDealDesign has created an accessible healthcare gadget that can provide a life-saving heart shock. The compact automated external defibrillator (AED), Avive, can easily be mounted on walls at home, in the workplace or in public, or can be carried during journeys.
To make the device more intuitive to use, Avive’s design takes inspiration from the shape and large screens of mobile devices, with an unmissable red tab for activation. While the device is currently under review by America's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it has the potential to drastically improve SCA survival rates by allowing people without medical training to respond in advance of paramedic support. ‘[Other AEDs] look professional in the wrong way,’ says Gadi Amit, founder of NewDealDesign. ‘We wanted to make people feel like it was an iPhone: You could grab it and immediately relate to it.’
Here, both NewDealDesign and Avive have set an example to other healthcare providers by reworking a medical tool into something that is accessibly sized and can empower citizens to respond in emergencies. For similar innovations, look out for our exploration into Sidewalk Science, part of our upcoming Innovation Debrief report.
Strategic opportunity
Health and wellness brands should provide services and equipment that allow the public to deliver healthcare – and feel safe. Take cues from Avive and design health products in ways that feel familiar