Medical and healthcare research, industrial design, UX / UI mapping, graphics, brand language, product collateral, packaging, sourcing
Awarded 2016 / 2017 Top 50 Most Disruptive Products, CNBC
Featured on Mad Money twice
Awarded 2017 U.S. EPA Emerging Technology Award
Awarded 2019 Energy Star Partner of the Year, R&D 100
My research conducted in the field of life sciences and healthcare, particularly focusing on the proper storage and monitoring of medicinal items such as vaccines, pharmaceutical drugs, blood, plasma, and reagents, played a pivotal role in the development of a new medical refrigeration line. This research provided invaluable insights into the unique requirements and challenges associated with storing these sensitive medical products.
A key consideration derived from this research was the critical importance of maintaining very sensitive and specific storage temperatures to maximize the shelf life and efficacy of these medical items. Variations in temperature can compromise the integrity and potency of vaccines, drugs, and other biological materials, potentially jeopardizing patient safety and treatment outcomes.
Building upon this understanding, the new medical refrigeration line was designed with the adaptation of a revolutionary cooling system. This innovative cooling technology was engineered to provide precise temperature control and uniform distribution throughout the refrigeration unit, ensuring consistent and reliable storage conditions for the stored medical items.
The design of the refrigeration line incorporated advanced monitoring and alarm systems to continuously track and report temperature fluctuations, alerting healthcare professionals to any deviations from the optimal storage conditions. This proactive approach in life sciences and temperature monitoring helps to mitigate the risk of product spoilage, ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, enhances patient safety, preserves the efficacy of medical products, and adds value to healthcare facilities and patients alike.
The initial product in the new medical refrigeration line was a 52-liter compact countertop medical refrigerator, strategically designed to address the known medical needs while showcasing the reliability and advantages of the innovative Peltier cooling technology coupled with the disruptive new heat pump system. This departure from the standard vapor compression system demonstrated the potential for greater reliability and efficiency in medical refrigeration.
One of the key features of the design was its ability to offer more internal capacity within a compact footprint. This was a significant advantage considering the often limited space available in hospitals, labs, and clinics. By maximizing internal capacity without compromising performance, the countertop refrigerator provides healthcare professionals with a practical solution for storing critical medical supplies in tight spaces.
The success of the countertop medical refrigerator paved the way for the establishment of the Evolve brand, signaling a new era of innovation and advancement in medical refrigeration. This milestone also marked the initiation of a new product visual brand language (VBL), aimed at creating a cohesive and distinctive identity for the Evolve product line.
The recognition garnered by the 52-liter countertop refrigerator extended beyond the medical industry, as it was featured on Mad Money, a testament to its impact and significance in the market. This acknowledgment further solidified the credibility and reputation of the Evolve brand and our commitment to revolutionizing medical refrigeration technology.
The design of the cooling system for the larger 5.5 cu. ft. medical refrigerator presented a unique opportunity to integrate industrial design principles and ergonomics into the control panel. With the need to ensure optimal performance of the cooling system, careful consideration was given to the placement and orientation of key components, including the control interface.
One of the critical factors in designing the control panel was the precise location of the specific airflow required to maintain system performance. By strategically integrating this airflow design into the overall layout of the refrigerator, we were able to create an optimal angle and position for the user interface. Intuitive placement of the interactive display facilitated seamless navigation and adjustment of temperature settings, alarm thresholds, and other key parameters.
Similar to its predecessor, the 5.5 cu. ft. medical refrigerator was strategically designed to maximize internal capacity while fitting within the undercounter measurements commonly found in hospitals, labs, and clinics. This compact yet spacious design addressed the need for efficient use of space in healthcare environments, allowing for seamless integration into existing facilities without sacrificing storage capacity.
The 5.5 cu. ft. medical refrigerator extended beyond the medical industry, as it was also featured on Mad Money. This exposure not only showcased the product's innovative design and functionality but also highlighted its potential for success in the market. The endorsement from Mad Money served as a testament to the product's significance and impact, further solidifying its reputation as a leading solution in medical refrigeration and the needs of healthcare professionals.
User research played a pivotal role in shaping the design of the interfaces for the medical refrigeration products, encompassing UI/UX work flow mapping, wireframes, and prototypes to ensure an intuitive and exceptional user experience. Given the sensitive nature of the items stored in these products, such as vaccines and pharmaceutical drugs, it was imperative to prioritize usability and reliability.
Through extensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, we gained valuable insights into the needs, preferences, and pain points of healthcare professionals who would interact with the products on a daily basis. This led to guiding the development of interfaces that are intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly.
User research led to the creation and execution of an online portal tailored for hospitals, clinics, and storage facilities to monitor and manage users, expensive medical supplies, and temperature readings in real-time. This portal provided healthcare professionals with a centralized platform to access critical information and maintain oversight of their medical refrigeration systems, enhancing efficiency and compliance with regulatory requirements.
The product VBL drove the styling and design of all product and marketing collateral such as the section of the 'Quick Start Guide' below.
I designed the 8 liter Phonic refrigerator for two separate markets for storage of sensitive medical supplies. The first is for ambulatory use and care for storing IV bags at a precise temperature. The product is designed to store 10 IV bags, can run on DC power, is a perfect compact size and increases the shelf-life of the IV bags.
The second use for the 8 liter fridge is for in-home applications such as for storage of EpiPens; auto-injectors that contain epinephrine, a medication used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions. The pens are used to treat anaphylaxis caused by: allergens, exercise, unknown triggers, insect bites or stings, medicines, and foods. An EpiPen is also used to treat hypoglycemia in children with diabetes. According to the CDC, 352,000 children and adolescents under the age of 20 in the United States were diagnosed with diabetes in 2021. Among the U.S. population overall, estimates for 2021 were 29.7 million people of all ages, 8.9% of the population, have diagnosed diabetes. Refrigeration at the correct temperature increases the safe "shelf life" of insulin by roughly 4 times. According to the American Diabetes Association, unopened insulin vials can be stored in the refrigerator at 36–46°F (2–8°C) until their expiration date. The compact 8 liter fridge can be placed wherever it is most needed in the home.
The design of the 5.5 cu. ft. medical refrigerator underwent modifications to cater to the stringent capacity requirements of the commercial beverage industry and stadium suites. Recognizing the unique demands of these environments, the product was adapted to meet the specific needs of storing beverages and perishable items in high-traffic settings. By tailoring the design to suit these specific environments, the refrigerator offered an ideal solution for storing and showcasing beverages while enhancing the overall guest experience.
"I had the distinct honor of working with Kevin Kinch as we started launching new refrigerator products into the healthcare industry. His ability to singlehandedly and quickly comprehend the technical requirements of the healthcare industry standards, apply this knowledge to develop technical requirements guiding the engineering team through development, and then to maintain rapport with the engineering team ensuring products met or exceeded industry requirements all the way through product launch was remarkable. In addition, Kevin developed & managed all the creative product & UI design elements that drove a unique and differentiated value position in the product line. The net result: products that generated prestigious awards from Energy Star and R&D 100, launched on time and within budget, and embodied a value proposition that enabled a newly formed sales team the ability to generate 7 figure revenues in the first 12 months of launch. We still get compliments on the aesthetic design quality years after the product launched in the market. Kevin was a tremendous asset to our organization and his impact is still felt today."
Vice President / General Manager, Phononic