About UST
UST as a brand focuses on making practical and reliable equipment, and tools at an affordable price. They focus on a few different sectors such as Survival, Camping, Fire, and Lighting.
Finding Needs
After looking at their lines of products and going out to outdoor stores there were several places
where there was space for new products.
Survival information
Sealing wounds
Problem
Guy goes on a hike in a secluded area.
Falls off a cliff.
On the way down, scrapes a large rock and arm gets cut open.
Needs to seal the wound fast.
Interview
"In a survival situation, time is never on your side"
"A successful survival tool has to be stupid easy to use"
Military Survivalist Instructor
sketches
Phase 1:
Started off with several AI Assistants that help come up with solutions for most medical emergency situations by looking for local medical plants. Scratched concept after doing a simulation and realizing it takes too long to receive instructions in an emergency.
Phase 2:
Moved forward with solutions that were readily accessible and were effective at sealing up the wound. Attempted to tackle it with biomimcry with a design similar to a leech and an octopus
Phase 3:
With accessibility in mind, I created different variations that were quick to get to and compact. At the same time, found synthetic skin gel was a way to seal up injuries and be able to stay on in different harsh conditions.
Testing Accessibility
Hand cuffs are the main inspiration for the accessibility of the product.
Attempt to create a latch that can be opened easily. Did not work well since it would stay on when pulled. Too tight
New version of latch would fall off when person would be walking. Too weak.
Attempted to define the application process with consideration on an injured user.
Attempted concept of a hard wearable to test accessibility. It required too much dexterity for certain situations
Reached a point where the opening of the band was simple with the use of magnets holding it closed and retractable bands
Technology
polyglycerol sebacate
A material that is commonly used/studies for tissue engineering applications due to its elastomeric mechanical properties and biocompatibility. It is used to cover up burns and cuts to help them heal a lot faster and disinfect them. It is projected in 4 years to have strong weather resistance and able to become a gel.
Final
Features
Extruder
Rechargable/refillable
Can be reused multiple times
Tank has enough for 2 uses
Extruder Fan
Keeps temperature stable
Cures in 2 seconds
Gel has anti-biotics and numbing powder to help with primary first aid
Front Lip
Channels fluid away from the injured area
Opening band
Opens to expand to reach hard to reach places
How To use
Hook Finger into the band to get to it quickly
Palm the Sealer in your hand
Push the sealer on wounded area for it to extrude the gel