By
Katapult Design Pty Ltd
Procept Australia
Hollywog, LLC
Designed in
Australia
Description
TENS uses small electrical pulses to provide non-invasive, low risk nerve stimulation for drug free pain relief. Traditionally it's been clinic or home based with cumbersome battery packs and wired electrodes. We wanted to empower patients by allowing them to treat themselves whenever and wherever they liked. WiTouch is a highly portable wireless device that can be easily worn underneath clothes for long periods. It’s lightweight, flexible body simply adheres to the lumbar area of the lower back. The wearer activates a specific 30 minute treatment program using the handheld remote or onboard controls. Wearable pain relief, anywhere, anytime.
Key Features
and/or Benefits
Katapult focused on customer needs to design a product that was simple and intuitive to use. We sought to eliminate the stigma of injury that surrounds existing TENS devices by making WiTouch more discreet. The single piece flexible body is easily positioned on the lower back and held comfortably in place using dedicated disposable gel pads. Once WiTouch is positioned the user can commence treatment at the touch of a button and control the intensity of the pre-programmed 30 minute session to suit their requirements. All the while going about their daily activities without being restricted or self-conscious.
The key to the design is revolutionary use of technology and construction. By working closely with suppliers and testing numerous prototypes, we pushed the boundaries of material use and process capabilities to create a complex dual overmoulded body assembly. This hi-tech component is the heart of the design, allowing us to have highly flexible electrode wings that comfortably hug the body's contours whilst integrating a super tough structural skeleton that ties the product together. Rigid central body shells are then snapped over the skeleton to create an seamless envelope that is durable, yet beautiful and a delight to use.
WiTouch is the world’s first wireless TENS unit allowing users to discreetly control the unit using a small keyfob remote. It utilises the latest low-energy wireless chips and clever programming to provide reliable communication whilst maintaining industry-leading battery life. In order to take full advantage of the wireless communication we integrated the conductive electrodes directly into the flexible body wings, eliminating the annoying wire connections of contemporary TENS electrodes. This fact alone allows the user the freedom to wear the device discreetly under their clothing whilst continuing their daily life.
WiTouch’s patented asymmetric biphasic square waveform is not only specifically designed for back pain relief but, unlike many incumbent monophasic waveforms, it’s biphasic characteristic has been developed to reduce the risk of skin burns. The pulses themselves are delivered according to a pre-determined 30 minute program. Within this program, there are three separate steps of different duration, pulse width and pulse frequency. One of the particularly innovative aspects of this program design is the fact that the pulse frequency itself is modulated. The pulse intensity is also completely adjustable by the user up to a maximum of 110mA.
Hollywog is a medical start-up that aims to evolve existing technologies by applying clever design and better product service at a competitive price. With this in mind Katapult designed a globally recognisable product that has established a distinctive brand image for Hollywog that can be carried forward to other products. It’s streamlined shape is both inviting and contemporary, yet doesn’t sacrifice WiTouch’s core functionality requirements. In addition, the design met extremely ambitiously Cost Of Goods targets for plastics, electronics, assembly and packaging, enabling Hollywog to successfully sell into more than 12 countries in it’s first year.