In our latest engagement with Respironics, a leader in the home respiratory care market, we faced an interesting challenge: take an intimidating piece of medical equipment–a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine–and make it feel approachable and usable for sleep apnea sufferers. We realized quickly that the use of a CPAP comes with much stigma. Patients are required to wear a cumbersome mask and tube system that simulates breathing during the night. As a result, the treatment helps deliver a regenerating, restful sleep.

We were recently honored with an MDEA Award for our work on Respironic’s REMStar CPAP base station. It got us thinking. With the rapid increase in Point of Care (POC) medical devices, we frequently find ourselves having to translate the aesthetics of in-hospital devices into versions appropriate for consumer use. Below are some guiding principles we use to design solutions that make conditions like sleep apnea or diabetes a smaller part of life:

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