Cionic

Software-controlled currents utilize electrodes placed inside the sleeve to activate muscles – improving ease of walking, increasing strength and range of motion, facilitating muscle re-learning, and elevating comfort overall.

The donning and doffing process is focused on positioning and placing the electrodes and sensors on top of correct muscles across multiple users with limited mobility. We had to thoughtfully consider the technical constraints of the wirebus, sensors, and electrodes.

To ensure that our product is user-friendly for individuals with limited mobility and dexterity, we underwent numerous rounds of iteration and prototyping. We evaluated our ideas by creating quick mockups and conducting user testing, including interviews with patients and caregivers to gather feedback.

We conducted numerous rounds of prototyping to identify the ideal fabric stack-up that would allow unrestricted movement while wearing the sleeve. Additionally, we explored various aesthetic textures that would guide users to the knee as the registration point. Drawing inspiration from kinesiology tape used in athletics, we aimed to create a support pattern that would appear sporty and active, rather than medical, in nature.

To ensure proper placement of the electrodes on the body, we needed to balance stretchability around the knee with firm areas around the hydrogel pads. Additionally, the edges of the flaps need to stretch to conform to various body types. We achieved this by creating an adhesive lattice design that controls the bonding between the outer layer, inner liner, and the wire bus.

The donning/doffing experience is particularly pertinent to stroke survivors, or other users that have limited mobility on one side of their bodies, as the opposing (more mobile) side must do all the work. More than 50 prototypes were developed to make sure we landed on a design that can be taken off/on with one hand only.

One critical element to consider when designing for the donning/doffing user experience, was the fact that the electrodes need to be located on the right muscle groups on the legs, to do that, we are using sticky hydrogel pads. Management of those sticky hydrogel pads was an important design consideration.

Here above is a detailed shot of the user wrapping the Cionic Sleeve around the upper leg.

The Cionic Neural sleeve connects to an app where the user can:

– Easily customize and manage their mobility treatment

– Gain insight into their progress

– Share data with their healthcare team

Our main goal aesthetically was to challenge the stigma around medical products that the users have been using for mobility, and make a product that the users were proud of and wanted to show off. That did not speak “medical” and “sick” but rather “sport” and “healthy”

The sleeve is powered by an external, rechargeable Hardware that serves as a control and power unit.

On the top there are input/output ports as well as LED bar that indicates battery status. The on/off button will be hidden under the pocket but will be placed exactly underneath the Cionic screen printed logo, so the user can use that as an indication on where to press to access the button.

Here above is a gif, showcasing the full donning user experience.

Here above there is a gif, showcasing the full doffing user experience.