Portable, wearable, home-based. A design review of home medical products for heart failure.

The demographic situation is influenced by several changing dynamics that affect the composition and distribution of the world's population. These dynamics include an ageing population, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and public health challenges. Therefore, home-based management of chronic patients, including those with heart failure (CHF), is preferred whenever possible. This paper presents a design review of home medical products for managing heart failure. The study draws comparisons between the outpatient activities performed within the cardiology department of the Ca' Foncello Hospital in Treviso and those undertaken by patients or caregivers in their own homes. This is achieved through a one-month observational field study. For each activity, such as heart rate measurement or auscultation, the paper identifies the medical devices used. Thus, the paper compares hospital equipment in use for the specific activity with its respective home versions, where available. Each product type will be categorised based on three main characteristics: portability, wearability, and use at home. For each category, case studies of commercially distributed products will be presented, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. The review will focus on the design aspects of portability, wearability, and suitability for domestic use. The paper will present a preliminary taxonomy and state of the art of homecare products for CHF patients. It will also present their design principles and physical characteristics. Its main objectives are to provide an overview of home-use products for heart failure management and to identify common design principles that can guide designers working in the healthcare field.