Freudenberg | MedVenture Immersion Research

Shea Tillman relocated to Louisville, Kentucky during May and June 2015 to better understand research and design processes within a contract manufacturer of healthcare products, Freudenberg Medical (formerly MedVenture). Ben Morris ’98, Design Principle in R&D at Freudenberg, hosted Tillman and coordinated his visit “rolling out the red carpet” for him. Tillman interviewed professionals from across the organization, worked with lab technicians on prototype builds, shadowed R&D professionals, tested SLA prototypes in a wet lab, generated and presented sketch concepts, and investigated other university programs advancing design in medical devices. Lessons and practices learned from this research were incorporated into the Studio+Health 2015 course and are shaping the development of additional coursework aimed at healthcare advancements through design.

Fourth year student Madeline Sharp’s ‘Bluetooth-Connected Home EKG’ project from Studio+Health 2015 addresses how hospital visits can be reduced for patients who require electrocardiographic monitoring and diagnosis through self-testing. This concept provides simple feedback for the empowered patient while diagnostic data is sent remotely to the physician.

“Learning first-hand how industrial design and human factors are incorporated within the medical product development process is invaluable in bringing industry expertise into our studios,” says Tillman. “We are very grateful to Ben Morris and his colleagues as well as CEO Mitch Moeller for granting me time and access to study MedVenture’s process in advancing our health-focused design research here at Auburn.”