3M | FIDE
A home allergy test for busy lifestyles
Allergy testing is an incredible tool that can bring clarity to people’s lives, but for independent adults and young children, it can also be a stressful experience. The FIDE allergy test kit provides simple at home options that work with busy schedules and provide a level of at home comfort that cannot be met anywhere else.
Inspired by friends & family
When my husband suddenly developed a shellfish allergy in his early twenties I started to look into allergies and the affect they have on the people living with them. Getting tested for allergies is a big part of life and can often be an inconvenience.
Allergy Testing Basics
Prick Test
The prick test is considered the gold standard for allergy testing. It is typically the first type of testing someone goes through when looking for a diagnosis.
Intradermal Test
Intradermal testing is used to create a more extreme reaction. It can be categorized by injecting oils under the skin.
Blood Test
Blood testing is a less conclusive test. It is typically used to support results of skin prick testing rather than as the primary source of information.
Food Challenge Test
The food challenge test is the most extreme type of test. It is specific to food allergy testing. The patient eats small amounts of food while being monitored for a reaction.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
How Testing Works
Tool Dipped in Oils
The first step in the process of testing is to dip the multi prick tool into oils to transfer them to the skin.
Oils Pressed into Skin
The prick tool, once covered with these oils, breaks the skin and allows the oils to go underneath and cause a reaction.
Analyze Results
After the reaction is left to occur, it can be analyzed. Each welt is studied for both color and size.
Common Tools
Prick Tool
Prick tools often appear very similar to insects which can exacerbate children’s fears. This makes them uncomfortable and unapproachable.
Labeling Pen
The pen used to label prick points is typically whatever is handy, and since the prick site is hand labeled with different tools there is a high risk for mistakes and inconsistencies.
Reading Plate
Reading plates also vary in their labeling and since they are analyzed by individual nurses, often without verification from others, there is a risk of misreading.
First Person Research
An important priority for this project was to conduct and draw conclusions from our own first person research. In addition to online surveys, I also was able to observe testing in person, have in-person interviews with professionals where they were able to show me and explain their process, and in-person interviews with a variety of patients who created collages as part of our interviews.
Research Interviews
Adrianna
Student with life threatening allergies
Adrianna went into anaphylactic shock when she was 2 years old. Recently, she has received testing in order to get a more precise understanding of her allergy. But, due to mistakes made during testing, and her busy college schedule, she has been left still looking for answers.
Thayer and Mason
Mother and son with allergies
Thayer and Mason both have allergies and difficult testing experiences. Due to inaccuracies and mistakes during testing, Mason had to undergo testing multiple times in order to gain a diagnosis. He and his mom refer to the prick tool as “The Spider”.
Erica
Nurse working for an allergist
Erica is a recent graduate who works at an allergy facility. She really enjoys being able to work with families, but sees a lot of children that are really uncomfortable and upset during testing. She also finds that trying to maintain testing equipment can be laborious for her.
My son and I call it
“the Spider”
View my whole research process book here:
Design Opportunities
Reduce Fear
Especially for children, allergy testing can be really stressful and overwhelming. There is an opportunity to design a more comfortable experience for both children and adults.
More Accessibility
Currently, the only at home test kits are for blood testing, which can be less precise than prick tests. An at home kit is flexible for anyone with busy lifestyles.
Increased Accuracy
With hand written labels, and the equipment upkeep of current systems there is a lot of room for error. An automatic system of labeling and verification can fill this need.
“How might we create an at home testing kit that empowers busy individuals and provides a comfortable experience for parents and young children?”
Initial Concept Generation
100 Stickies
In order to quickly iterate early on I started exploring with simple sticky note sketches. I roughly organized them from “mild” to “wild” ideas keeping in mind the type or experience I was trying to create for children and busy adults.
Organizational Charts
Users
I first analyzed all the sticky notes sketches by placing them in the appropriate categories based on which users they provided for; children, patients, or nurses.
Products
As another perspective I also organized the sticky notes based on which kind of tool they were a development of; packaging, materials, prick tool, or labeling and oils.
Initial Concepts
After breaking down all the initial brainstorm sticky notes, I presented four concepts, one for each group. After feedback on these concepts one concept stood out and was the chosen direction to pursue, which ended up being a combination of the poke tool, packaging, and oil concept.
Prick Tool
A prick tool that marks the skin while also pricking, doing both at once; it also has a quick disposal of the prick portion.
Packaging
A simple at home mailing system, shipped to users where they can take a test in the comfort of their own home.
Oils and Labeling
A sticker which has labels on it and embedded oils, prick right through in order to easily label and use oils.
Quick Test
A drug store quick test, where the user visits a store and quickly has the test done and results analyzed.
Chosen Direction
The oils packaging stood out because of its simplicity and potential. This was where I initially focused my efforts, trying to make something that is:
1. more friendly and approachable
2. simple to understand
3. easy to clean up
Market Example
3M currently has a commercial allergy test kit for use in food production facilities. While designing this product I wanted to brand it for 3M and referenced both the purple color and simple icons in my design.
Sticker Exploration
Initial Prick Tool Iterations
Concept Workflow
Initial Prick Tool Concepts
Concept A.
Placement pieces molded into sticker and fully disposable prick tool
Concept B.
Disposable prick piece with reusable holder and reaction sticker
Concept C.
Attached prick tool and sticker; both fully disposable
Market Reference
Precise Control
The actual action of pricking is not a very rough task. It is much more precise and controlled than injections or auto injectors like epipens, especially since the tool is just slightly breaking the skin. Currently, the best way to hold the tool is with a pinched hold, something that I wanted to reference and keep in mind while designing my new prick tool.
3D Prick Variations
Walk Through Workflow
Initial Form Concepts
Concept 1
In this concept I wanted to explore the possibility of a component to aid in lining up the prick tool. I found even with it being opaque that it still took away too much from the user’s visibility.
Concept 2
In this concept I created the piece so that the bottom prick part could be disposable rather than the entire component. Compared to concept 3 I found this concept to be too static.
Concept 3
For this concept the purple component actually fits inside of the white portion, creating the purple touch point once both pieces come together. This is the concept I choose to continue refining.
Form Iterations
Packaging Development
While continuing to think about the 3M brand, (although, not focusing on budget restrictions), I continued to ideate and come up with possible packaging for the kit to be delivered inside.
3M FIDE
Home Allergy Test Kit
Options for Everyone
Testing Options
FIDE is designed with flexibility in mind. If the user is most comfortable performing the test on themselves they can do so on the inside of the forearm. Otherwise, they can have a family member perform the test for them on their back. This is best when multiple tests are performed at once.
Receive FIDE in the mail and refrigerate until a later date if necessary.
Open the box, read the instructions, and watch the illustrated video
Safely complete the testing in the comfort of your home
Easily dispose of pieces and wait for results to be emailed to you in 2-3 days
What’s
Inside
The
Box?
Contents
How Do I
Take The Test?
Although there are no known cases of an extreme reaction during prick testing (typically extreme reactions only occur during the food challenge test) a warning is printed clearly on the inside flap of the box.
This warning instructs the user that they should only take the test with someone else present, and be prepared to call 9-1-1 (or local emergency line) should they start experiencing life threatening symptoms.
The Sticker
The Prick Tool
How the prick tool should be rocked slightly after pricking the sticker to ensure it properly causes a reaction.
The App
The companion app for FIDE provides an accurate and easy way to receive results. With a simple picture upload the results of the test are analyzed and verified by multiple professionals and then the results are sent directly to you.
Scan to identify allergy panel
Capture image of sticker and reaction
Receive confirmation and await results
What about children?
FIDE also has children’s testing kits. These kits have nature themes that help transform the prick tool, after use, into a fun toy. These toys help provide an incentive for children and a more fun and welcoming experience.
How To Swap Pieces
What Makes It Different?
Parents can use the toy to help their child become more comfortable with the tool prior to testing.
Swap the toy for the prick tool and use the tool to conduct testing. Once testing is over, remove and dispose of the prick portion.
Reattach the toy and your child is free to play!
Friendly
Compared to current prick tool, the fun colors and included children’s toy make FIDE kits more approachable.
Accurate
The combination of labeled stickers, reaction guides, and multi-factor verification ensures that whatever your results, FIDE will be precise and accurate.
Accessible
Instead of having to plan a trip to the doctors office, FIDE is delivered right to your door so you can complete testing on your own time and schedule.
Maybe you want to hear more about the process, or how I built my models? Whatever it is, feel free to send me a note! I’d love to answer whatever questions you might have!
- Paige Huntress-Parr