OVUL
OVUL is a conceptual product that explores how an affordable personal health device for women could disrupt the current market. The chosen product is a new form of real-time Ovulation Tracking with the goal of improving the accuracy of the Billings Method by digitizing the logging process. Known for it's impressive accuracy when performed correctly, the Billings Method has unmet and outsized potential.
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Sector
Ovul intends to fill an unmet need within the At-Home Consumer Health Product Sector, Telehealth, Sex-Education, Contraceptives and Family Planning Solutions.
Constraints
The product needed to leverage the existing capabilities of a smart phone to help deliver an affordable at home medical analysis by reducing the need to purchase redundant technology for the consumer.
Problem
Despite the Billings Method being a tried and tested method taught to Women by Doctors globally, it's precision varies greatly due to the problem of Human Error. This is due to faults in perception and improper training or lack-of. In addition, training can be costly and innaccessible to some Women. With a Fertility Tracking accuracy of 92-99.6%, the Billings Method is an ideal method for procreation. In contrast, it's Contraceptive Accuracy of 78-99.5% makes it a frightenning option for anyone obstaining from pregnancy. In comparison to alternative contraceptives, it provides zero protection from STDs with a potential 1.6% advantage in accuracy to Condoms and 0.1% difference in accuracy to Contraceptive Pills. The design opportunity here lies in the fact that it is a pain free and drug free alternative to contraceptives. A selling point for many health concious individuals. Similar to contraceptive pills, the Billing Method can be paired with the use of condoms or used on it's own, most often in a trustworthy relationship. The challenge is in reducing human error, and creating a comfortable and personalized at-home health experience with an affordable pricetag.
Solution
Reduce human error by creating a device that does the analyzing instead. Delegating the task of analysis to a device also eliminates the challenge of delivering proper training to every woman who seeks to use the Billings Method.
An accurate device that tracks the constant change in Ovulation.
By developing a product that helps Women monitor their Ovulation Cycle, participating women will be: well informed about when they can and cannot become pregnant, more likely to detect any irregularities sooner, and accumulate valuable data which can be shared with a trusted doctor or even sexual partner.
To address this need, Jon designed a conceptual product that is based on the latest research in fertility awareness. This product is designed to provide women with accurate, reliable information about their ovulation cycles, giving them the flexibility and control to make their own decisions with regard to their reproductive health.
The product is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, providing women with a better way to track their ovulation cycles than existing products. The goal is to give women the power to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, whether they are focused on career growth, family planning, or simply seeking better sexual education.
The improved fertility awareness device has the potential to be a groundbreaking new product that is poised to make a real difference in the lives of women around the world. With its accuracy, reliability, and ease of use, it has the potential to empower women of all backgrounds and beliefs to take control of their reproductive health and their lives.
year
2018
timeframe
3 Months
tools
Solidworks, Keyshot, 3D Printing, Milling, Lasercutter, Vinyl Cutter
category
Industrial Design
Current Digital Trackers
Could we develop a better Digital Ovulation Tracker by leveraging the benefits of the Billing’s Method while reducing human error?
Traditionally the Billings Method relies on personal interpretation by Women of their cervical mucus. This is done by eye and feel. Over the course of each menstrual cycle, cervical mucus changes in clarity, color and viscosity. At peak fertility, cervical mucus is crystal clear and elastic. After ovulation, cervical mucus is affected by the production of progesterone and becomes thick, sticky and opaque. The Billing’s Method can outcompete other fertility tracking methods in it’s accuracy and is often used as a holistic contraception option. However, there’s a small problem with the Billings Method … Human Error. This Causes the Billing Method’s Effectiveness to range from 78-99.6%
Competitors to the Billing’s Method
Contraceptive Accuracy:
Condoms: 85-98% effective
The Pill: 91-99.7% effective
Billings Method: 78-99.5% effective
Fertility Tracking Accuracy:
Current App & Devices: 80-87% accurate
Billings Method: 92%-99.6% accurate
Article About the Billings Method: Click Here
Current trackers can only detect sudden changes in body temperature or a hormone spike from ovulation.
They don’t track the constant change in the ovulation cycle. Making periods and ovulation harder to anticipate.
In contrast, by using thee Billings Method, we can track the constant change of the ovulation cycle.
Ideation
An exploration of how to analyze cervical mucus by measuring viscosity, color and clarity in a simple and hygienic way. Due to needed advancements in viscosity meters, a portable option is not plausible. Color was the the best measurement method for a small product.
How it Works
A macro lens sleeve that attaches to the phone in combination with a hygienic slider design that can store a sample of cervical mucus and easily capture an image with the phones existing camera and computing capabilities.
