Overveiw

The Open Pump Project aims to develop a completely open source "build it yourself" insulin pump. By providing open source hardware to treat type one diabetes, consumers gain the right to understand their artificial organs, along with the freedom to improve them.

Grew up in a family of makers (And Diabetics)

Taking apart tech to learn

Hit a Dead End

Wanted to build a VR Headset

Discover Relativity VR

Wait Whats Open Source?

Build My Own Headset

Open Source Becomes World View

VR Headset Feels Meaningless

Want To Use My Skills For Real Good

Reflect On Insulin Pumps  🎉  🎉  🎉 

What Is An Insulin Pump?

Why Open Source?

$$$

Current insulin pumps discourage users from customizing their experience

FDA approval slows life changing features from reaching consumers

Closed source insulin pumps discourage user understanding of their body

The cheapest of used insulin pumps are still $500

OpenAPS

Design of an open source ultra low cost insulin pump

This is a project hacking insulin pumps with a Raspberry Pi to enable fully automated insulin dosing.

This was a project to create an ultra low cost insulin pump using open source 3d printed parts.

Preexising Work

Contacting Users & Researchers

Mathew Payne

Mathew Payne is the creator of the "Design of an open source ultra low cost insulin pump"

Denise Shanté Brown

Denise Shanté is a holistic design strategist focusing on designing communal spaces and type one diabetic.

Jess Westbrook

Jess Westbrook is a type one diabetic as well as designer and tenured professor.

Contacting Users & Researchers

Interveiwing Users & Researchers

Denise Shanté Brown

• The interview was a mix of structured questions and conversation
• highlighted the importance of an open community
• Pointed out the need for a pump where you control your experience

Jess Westbrook

• Interview was mostly conversational
• Highlighted the need for open development
• Encouraged customizability
• Insulin pumps serve people with uteruses poorly

Researching Features of Preexisting Pumps

Following the advice of Mathew Payne, I researched the "core features" of preexisting pumps attracting users.

Disassembling a Tandem insulin reservoir

After seeing the hidden insulin reservoirs of the Tandem insulin pumps I decided to take apart and document one.

Pump Research

Key Takeaways

Prioritize user customizability in my design (hardware & software)

Allow for pumps to be "off the grid" not requiring phone connection

Keep my design process transparent

Be honest about risk

Form Sketching

Form Sketching

Form Prototyping

Final Form Prototype

Functional Prototyping

Final Functional Prototype

Finish Technical Prototype

Test UI And Control Experience on Users

Publish Design Files and User Feedback

• Touch base with contacts
• Get public feedback on the project
• Figure out final dosing system
• Rethink general form design
• Design friendly UI
• Wait so how am I going to test this???

Going Forward

• First time I focused so heavily on reaching out to people
• More of a conceptual foundation than usual
• Especially user focused design process

Reflection