Dorota Dyk Receives the Bronze A' Design Award for Medapti Oral Medicine Syringe Adapter in Baby, Kids' and Children's Products Design

The Work

Project

Medapti Oral Medicine Syringe Adapter

Function

Oral Medicine Syringe Adapter

Category

Baby, Kids' and Children's Products Design

Discipline

Industrial Design

Industry

Kids

Colors

Silver, Dark Gray, Gainsboro, Lavender and Gray

Images

5

Client

Medapti

The Recognition

Laureate

Dorota Dyk

Country

Great Britain

Recognition

Bronze A' Design Award

Edition

2020 - 2021

Design ID

#123693

Credits

Image Credits

Photographer Julia Michalczewska, Medapti product photo, 2021; Photographer Julia Michalczewska, Medapti inside baby's mouth front, 2021; Photographer Julia Michalczewska, Medapti tube outside baby's mouth, 2021; Photographer Julia Michalczewska, Medapti inside baby's mouth top angle, 2021; Photographer Julia Michalczewska, Medapti how to use with syringe, 2021

Design Details

Unique Properties

Administering oral medication to babies can be problematic. Medapti surpasses the current products by its simplicity and a unique design which directs the syringe to the side of the mouth. The syringe is simply inserted inside the tube which is at an angle and directs the medication to the cheek, not the back of the throat. The mouth guard helps to position the syringe and ensures the syringe does not go too far down the mouth. Softer material is gentle on the gums. Medapti was designed with safety in mind. It passes not only a choking test but a more rigorous air-obstruction safety test.

Inspiration

When my children were babies, I struggled to give them medicine, especially my youngest who refused to take it. Further research showed that administering medication to babies can be a real issue, with parents worrying about babies choking on medicine and not giving a correct dose if a baby spits it out. I wanted to create a simple to use solution. Medapti concept gained interest from international media, health professionals and hospitals including Great Ormond Street, Alder Hey, Sheffield and Manchester Children Hospitals in England.

Research

Medapti is an innovative product, therefore no standards for this product exist yet. Medapti worked closely with the safety testing companies, who advised on what standards the product should try to comply with. The main aim was to pass the air obstruction test and meet as many clauses of the EN1400 soother standard as possible. The size and shape were designed so the adapter does not fit through the air obstruction gauge. Furthermore, ventilation holes and a holder were added as additional safety features.

Challenge

The main challenge was to pass the air-obstruction test without compromising the visual aspects of the design by making the product too large. The syringe tube design was also problematic. It was important that the syringe stays securely inside the tube without the need of using too much force to insert it. An inner "ring" was added, and various sizes and shapes were tested, until the goal was achieved. The other major challenge was no existing safety standards for such a novel product. It was resolved by talking to testing houses, safety standards specialists and health professionals.

Realization and Technology

The original concept was simply created with clay and cardboard which in result led to approximately 50 design modifications and numerous rounds of 3D printed and vacuum cast prototypes to create a functional product. Safety standards had a major influence on the final shape and size. Consequently, a 2-cavity, hot runner mould made from steel has been built. Medapti units are made out of medical grade, BPA-free thermoplastic elastomer (which can be fully recycled providing there is a facility to do so).

Operation and Interaction

Dispensing medicine with the syringe alone can be problematic due to babies moving around or refusing the medication. It can be difficult to place the syringe in the mouth and the syringe can be inserted too far down the throat. Moreover, the medicine can be accidentally dispensed to the back of the throat. A hard plastic syringe can also hurt the gums. Medapti is an improvement to a syringe and makes it easier to place the syringe in baby's mouth, ensuring it does not go too far as well as helps to direct it to the cheek.

Project Duration and Location

The project started in 2013 in England. It was first publicly presented in Richard Branson's competition where it received a lot of traction and media attention. In 2018, Medapti was chosen as a BPA Concept&Innovation finalist and as a result, secured a stand at the Harrogate International Nursery Fair where prototypes were exhibited. Medapti will launch in the UK and on Amazon marketplace in April 2021. Additionally, it will be sold on a license in Poland, Scandinavia and other Eastern European countries in the second half of 2021.

Specifications

Medapti is 6 gram in weight and has the following dimensions: 62mm x 50mm x 43mm. It comprises of a mouthguard and a tube where the syringe is inserted. The tube is designed in a way that holds the syringe in place, but no force needs to be used to push or remove it. The tube is at an angle to direct the syringe to the side of baby's mouth. Additional features include ventilation holes and a holder to pull Medapti out if it ever got stuck in the mouth (although it is unlikely to happen, the design takes this eventuality into consideration). The product is packaged in a fully recyclable cardboard box.

Keywords

baby product, baby essential, baby medication, baby syringe, baby medicine, baby medicine dispenser, nursery product