Summary: LKK Design partnered with a healthcare client to revolutionize women's health monitoring. We developed an at-home ovarian blood collection device that transforms a complex process into a simple, safe, and accurate experience. This case study details our human-centered design process, from initial research to final prototyping, highlighting how we created a product that empowers women through seamless at-home testing.

Our client, a pioneering company in diagnostic technologies, aimed to bring professional-grade health screening into the home. Their goal was to develop a system allowing women to self-collect finger-prick blood samples for ovarian reserve testing, which could then be mailed to a lab for analysis.

The core challenge was to translate a clinical blood-draw procedure into a simple, safe, and reliable process for untrained users at home. They engaged LKK Design to create a fully integrated collection device that would eliminate user fear, guarantee sample integrity, and build trust in at-home diagnostic testing.

• Core Requirements:

1. User-Friendly Operation: An intuitive process requiring minimal steps and no prior training.

2. Sample Accuracy: Precise blood volume collection and stable sample preservation during transit.

3. Total Safety: A foolproof system preventing needlestick injuries before and after use.

4. Emotional Appeal: A design that feels reassuring and gentle, avoiding clinical coldness.

• Design Goals:

1. Increase Accessibility: Enable women to easily monitor their health from home, addressing barriers like complex logistics and long wait times.

2. Build Trust: Foster user confidence in at-home testing through reliable performance and a superior product experience.

3. Create a Market Leader: Establish a best-in-class product that sets a new standard for user experience and technical integration in the segment.

 Design Research

• Market & User Insights: Our research identified a growing demand for convenient at-home health tests. However, existing solutions were lacking. Liquid blood collection methods often required anticoagulants and had weak seals, while dried blood spot (DBS) cards were prone to contamination during long drying times and complex handling. We found that women needed a way to easily track their health, but fear, inconvenience, and accuracy concerns were significant barriers.

• Product Strategy & Definition: Based on these insights, we defined the product strategy: a self-contained device based on capillary action for automatic and precise volumetric sampling. This method draws an exact amount of blood, which is then transferred to an absorbent matrix. A desiccant at the bottom rapidly dries the sample, and a dual O-ring seal (top and bottom) ensures a hermetic environment during mail-back, guaranteeing sample integrity and accuracy from collection to analysis.

 Industrial Design

• Friendly Form Language: We moved away from sharp, medical aesthetics. Instead, we used soft, flowing curves and a cohesive form factor to make the device feel more like a personal care product, reducing user anxiety.

• Guided User Interaction:

• Ergonomic Grip: The form was optimized for a secure and comfortable grip for various hand sizes.

• One-Step Operation: All complex internal mechanisms were concealed. The exterior features a single, prominent action button for a simple "press-and-forget" experience.

• Clear Visual Guidance: Distinct color zones and icons intuitively guide the user to the lancet port and sample viewing window.

 Mechanical Structure Design

• Integrated Functional Module: We engineered a compact, all-in-one internal structure that houses the spring-driven lancet, capillary tube, and blood collection chamber.

• Precision Mechanism: A mechanical system controls the lancet's penetration depth and speed for a near-painless stick. The capillary action ensures highly accurate blood volume collection, which is critical for reliable lab results.

• Comprehensive Safety Mechanism: Post-use, the lancet automatically retracts and is permanently locked, providing a foolproof "sharps injury protection" system that meets strict medical safety standards.

 Prototyping and Testing

• Rapid Prototyping Iteration: We used 3D printing and CNC machining to create appearance and functional prototypes, allowing us to rapidly validate the form, ergonomics, and user interaction.

• Usability Testing: Target users were invited to test functional prototypes. We observed their interactions to gather feedback on usability, comprehension, and emotional response, which directly informed design refinements.

• Engineering Validation: We collaborated closely with the client's engineering team to perform rigorous tests on penetration depth, blood volume accuracy, seal integrity, and durability, ensuring the design was ready for reliable mass production.

The "Ovarian Blood Collector" designed by LKK Design successfully transcends its function as a mere medical device, becoming an empowering tool for women's everyday health management.

• For the End-User: It provides a safe, simple, and private way to manage health. It effectively reduces the fear of blood collection and reluctance to visit clinics, making proactive health monitoring an easy and reassuring habit.

• For the Client: It delivered a decisive competitive advantage. The outstanding design not only encapsulated their core technology but also created a superior brand experience, helping to establish their leadership in the women's health market.

• Broader Impact: It advances the "prevention over cure" healthcare model and promotes the progress of self-managed health, contributing to broader public health outcomes.

At LKK Design, we are committed to bridging the gap between technology and humanity through innovative design. We create not just products, but experiences and trust, delivering business value for our clients and a better quality of life for users.