END.O
a concept to combat endometriosis


 
 

Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women causing a lengthy list of symptoms including pelvic pain, chronic fatigue and infertility. More research needs to be done to figure out the true cause, though a main theory holds that it is fueled by estrogen dominance.

Using a combination of bionanosensors and lifestyle changes, END.O sets out to not only be a band-aid for symptoms, but also enhance the quality of life for women living with this frustrating condition. 

key skills
systems, mapping, prototyping, research

tools
Sketch, Principle

advisor
Hugh Dubberly

timeline
4 weeks

 

research + modeling 

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Meet Jessica. She has endometriosis.

Her life is an unpredictable rollercoaster of debilitating fatigue, gut issues, and very painful periods. She feels limited by her condition, uncertain when the symptoms will take her down. When she feels good, she's an efficient worker, a loving partner, and motivated woman. When she gets hit with the multitude of symptoms related to endometriosis, she feels defeated. 

Since endometriosis effects so many elements of a women's life, I wanted to create a concept that would re-empower and inflate them with optimism. 

I interviewed Jessica to get a clear picture of her daily and weekly activities that effect her condition and get a picture of her caregiving network. Additionally, I did secondary research on endometriosis, exploring the symptoms, potential causes, current areas of treatment, and pain points in treating women who suffer from the condition. 

 

 

Actions + Experiences

Women with endometriosis don't follow a standardized journey, or even have the exact experiences as one another. This map depicts the actions and experiences of Jessica across one day (though it's not representative of every day).

 

 

Jessica's Caregiving Network

Jessica's caregiving network is comprised of medical, emotional, social and financial support. The many nodes of this network depict the multi layered needs and challenges endometriosis creates

 

 
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conceptualizing

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Conceptual Model

I wanted to design for internal sensors that released and measured hormones as well as an associated app that captured this data. The app also would allow users to track their daily symptoms and enter information regarding their diet, sleep and exercise. 

 

 

Ecology Map

The ecology map showcases the interconnectivity between the patient, app, internal bionanosensors, and endometriosis specialist.

 
 
 

 

Homeostasis Model

This feedback loop outlines the goal of the sensors and mobile in association with the channels involved in creating homeostasis.

 
 
 
 

prototyping 

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Wireframes

Pretty quickly after generating these rough wireframe ideas, I decided the chat and forum functions of the app were unnecessary. They took away from the core purpose of the app, complicating and adding elements that no longer seemed useful. 

See the wireframes bigger.

 
 
 

 

User Interface Design

I wanted to use bold colors that weren't overtly female, but spoke to a strong woman. Through rich purple, deep brick, and a pop of turquoise, I wanted a color palette that wasn't shy. Endometriosis is often an invisible disease, and I wanted an aesthetic that spoke up, loud and proud. 
 

 
 
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1. Dashboard  to input their daily food intake, exercise, stress inputs and pain. Allows women to draw a rich picture of how their lifestyle impacts their well-being.

2. This graph relates to the info coming from the internal bionanasensors. It depicts hormone daily hormone levels in relation to pre-determined set points. 

 

 

Key Task Flow: Inputing Daily Pain

future outcomes

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Sustainable, Long Term Behavior Change
 

  1. Achieve hormonal balance within a woman’s body after surgery so she won’t have the potential of recurrence
     
  2. Hormones can also be balanced through lifestyle behaviors, like eating foods that don’t negatively disrupt the endocrine system, staying physically active, as estrogen accumulates in fat cells, sleeping enough, and engaging in stress reducing activities like yoga and meditation
     
  3. Once a woman physically and mentally feels well enough, she can set the sensors to manual, meaning they will only track hormone levels, not release hormones
     
  4. Create behavioral changes for the women that can enable her to take her of her body without the need of an external device