Patella Pro

Collaboration with Medtech Company, Usono, to make a wearable ultrasound for dynamic scanning of the knee patella.

Tools & Methods

Silicon Casting, Blender, 3D printing, Figma.

Industry

Health & Innovation

Duration

Team (2), 2 Years

Project Overview

This project aimed to advance the use of ultrasound for athletic injury recovery. Traditional ultrasound scanning is limited to stationary settings, but Usono’s goal was to enable dynamic diagnostics to better assess muscles during activity movements. Over the course of two years, the design team supported the development of wearable ultrasound solutions, contributing to two key components (each lasts 8 months): a Universal Probe Adapter and a Patella Pro. These tools empower athletes and physiotherapists to conduct real-time muscle assessments during motion, reducing recovery time and improving treatment outcomes.

Design Challenge

Universal Probe Adapter: Develop a single adapter that fits various ultrasound probe sizes to reduce manufacturing time and cost.
Patella Pro: Design a knee-specific wearable that ensures stable ultrasound imaging during movement for athletes with patellar injuries.

Project Overview

Design Challenge

Universal Probe Adapter: Develop a single adapter that fits various ultrasound probe sizes to reduce manufacturing time and cost.
Patella Pro: Design a knee-specific wearable that ensures stable ultrasound imaging during movement for athletes with patellar injuries.

Design Process

The process started with Research into the material, especially for the Universal Probe Adapter, Prototyping with cardboard, silicone casting and 3D printing, ideation with the designer team with sketching, discussing with the Usono team and testing with the final prototype before the final demo.

Reflection

Spending two years on this project really showed me what it takes to bring a design to life. I learned how to communicate my ideas in a professional way, and how to keep track of progress while doing a cross-disciplinary collaboration. Researching materials and dealing with the realities of designing for a medical product was not always easy, but it pushed me to think in new ways in which my teammate helped the most. More than anything, I came away with a real appreciation for the teamwork and persistence needed to make something that can actually be manufactured and used.