This year’s President’s design award in Singapore was handed over to X-Halo, a breath thermometer that has been brought into the market by the Philips Design Team. Being touted as a revolutionary tool in combating asthma, X-Halo is extremely intuitive, easy and fun to use. Many research studies have shown a positive correlation between blocked airways and the breath temperature. The greater the airways get inflamed, the warmer or hotter the breath is. This correlation has been medically used to determine the onset and intensity of asthma in the X-Halo. This is a boon for asthmatics who have never been able to predict an attack or even recognize that they are patients till they actually experience symptoms that affect daily life.
Delmedica Investments, who offers investors and patients alike with the immense potential that the global biotechnology industry holds, has introduced the X-Halo breath thermometer to help manage asthma by accurately measuring the breath temperature in a non invasive and user friendly way. The endeavor has been to make the testing intriguing and fun for the patient and diagnostically easy for the doctor. The result is a compact ‘can’ that has a nozzle that can be flipped open. This breath nozzle glows green as an indicator for the patient to start exhaling. Audio indicators and LED lights signal the patient to stop blowing. Thus, it is very intuitive and easy to use for the patients.
The device can take up to 250 readings with all necessary parameters and details. These can then be downloaded on to the PC via a cable. The data can be processed into meaningful information that helps the doctor predict the onset of an asthmatic attack. It also makes it possible to prescribe the necessary medication and treatment to avoid the same. Thus, it is a boon for the doctors and physicians.
The Philips High Design Methodology has been applied in the manufacture of these handheld X-Halo devices. A lot of research and understanding have thus resulted in an imaginative and feasible solution that X-Halo is. The key consideration in the design is to create a user friendly experience and offer an easy diagnosis.
The advantages and usefulness of X-Halo is not restricted to asthma alone. Working on the same premise of inflamed airways causing rise in breath temperature, it can also be used to help the diagnosis of a host of other lung problems and diseases. 2000 beta prototypes have been launched and tests are on to see the usefulness of X-Halo in predicting respiratory conditions like SARS and H1N1.
By creating a harmonious relationship between people, objects and environment (natural and man-made), Philips has definitely delivered great value via the X-Halo. The freedom and empowerment inherent in the ability to predict an asthma attack is bound to delight many hearts.
Via: DesignSingapore