Helping Hand Data Capture
Medical Device

red dot: best of the best
red dot award: product design 2008

Intelligent and pleasing
“I swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepios and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods and goddesses,” thus reads the first line of the famous Hippocratic Oath to which every physician feels an obligation even today. Every physician upholds the ethics set by Hippocrates and, according to their ability, swear to do everything in their power to help their patients. Yet patients too have duties: In medical terminology, the word “compliance” describes the exactitude with which patients adhere to their doctor’s advice. Partly due to illness, however, some patients may not be able to take their drugs regularly. The Helping Hand Data Capture is an intelligent electronic device that improves patient compliance in that it helps them with their medication. With its clear and warm language of form, it is reminiscent of the palm of an out-stretched hand; its functions are easy, explicit and immediately self-explanatory. The design of the device has consciously omitted buttons and a digital display, because the device aims to be intuitive and safe to use. Only via light and sound are patients reminded to take their medication correctly and at the right time. An easy-to-discern visual feedback system, which comprises the three traffic-light colours, shows the patients how “well” the medication has been taken. The interactive quality of this device is also of help to all other people involved in the medical treatment process: software transmits the data via an interface for the attending physician to check – a feedback system that enables physicians and pharmacists to give high quality counselling to their patients. With its patient-friendly and well thought-out design, this device opens up new ways into the future – in a form that is also ethically compliant.