VNS Therapy App
Role
UX Design Intern and Usability Test Moderator
Date
July 2023
Project Overview
Working as an intern at LivaNova introduced me to the dynamic intersection of medical devices and technology, particularly in the realm of epilepsy management. At LivaNova, our primary goal is to enhance the quality of life for patients with epilepsy by leveraging innovative technologies such as the Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) medical device. This device is designed to reduce the frequency of seizures in epileptic patients.
One significant project I worked on was the development of the VNS Therapy App, which serves as a vital tool for patients using the VNS device. Our design team recognized the importance of empowering patients with a good base understanding of their device and health status. As a result, we focused on incorporating features that provide users with valuable insights into their treatment journey.
Challenges
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Joining the design team later in their design process but trying to catch up quickly
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Grasping the ins and outs of the VNS device and app swiftly
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Starting fresh in UX design without prior professional experience
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Understand the merge of technology and medical devices
First Dive In
My initial focus during the design process was to actively participate in multiple design critiques and collaborative design sessions involving developers, marketing specialists, engineers, and fellow designers. By engaging in these interactions, I gained valuable insights into the seamless coordination among various departments. Following each session, I provided assistance to the graphic and UX designers in refining the Figma screen mock-ups. Subsequently, we transitioned these modifications into a high-fidelity prototype to prepare for upcoming usability testing sessions.
Key Insights
After the completion of detailed usability testing sessions, extensive notes were compiled and potential modifications were thoughtfully considered. The invaluable insights from observing firsthand patient clinic visits hold the promise to ignite the creation of innovative features for the VNS Therapy App. Some are listed below.
Patients' vitals are recorded at the onset of every clinic appointment to ensure thorough monitoring and accurate assessment of their health status
Physician checks device for stimulation history to see if auto or magnet stimulation occurred.
Physician and patient discuss recent medical history.
At the end of the visit, the physician adjusts device stimulation based on patient medical and device history
Takeaways
Stepping into the professional realm of UX Design as an intern not only broadened my horizons but also provided an insight into the intricate design process. Being entrusted with the role of a moderator for a single patient during usability testing was a pivotal learning experience that taught me the importance of adaptability and crafting questions that resonate with both the application interface and the patient's unique circumstances. Witnessing the after effects following usability testing and clinical observation research highlighted the iterative nature of design, continually evolving to meet users' needs. Engaging with seasoned UX Designers to collect insights and articulate findings to cross-functional teams shed light on the valuable essence of collaboration in steering a project towards a successful finished product.