CanMed
Please note before viewing this project
This topic of investigation & product design was chosen based on emerging research around the benefits of medicinal cannabis, an emerging global trend of it being prescribed to patients, and an opportunity to design a truly unique device due to a lack of products designed for medical use.
I am personally not prescribed medicinal cannabis, and am happy to fully comply with any workplace drug testing policy without reservation.
CanMed is a product designed for my 4th year honors project at Massey University.
The product is based off of 14 weeks of research done in the first semester, aimed at addressing issues that users of medicinal cannabis faced while medicating themselves.
This research was conducted during the early stages of medicinal cannabis flower being prescribed to patients in Aotearoa, and had goals of helping to reduce the stigma around cannabis being used as a medication, address issues that patients had with current systems, and help provide patients with a device that felt medical in both its aesthetic and semantic.
“[I need to be able to medicate] Anywhere. Anxiety and pain kicks in whenever it wants.”
-response from survey of medicinal cannabis patients
The results of this research showed a need for a device that is discreet and easy to use in stressful circumstances, no matter the surroundings at the time. Coming up with a solution for an inhaled product was essential, as other forms of administration are slow to take effect.
Cutaway of the vapouriser, as held by the user.
When inhaled from, the bottom one way valve stops air from being drawn in through the filter.
when exhaled into, the top one way valve stops air from exiting through the heating chamber.
Development
Body shape/sizing/format development
3 posters for the initial concepts that were developed from the research report findings.
3 posters for the initial concepts that were developed from the research report findings.
3 posters for the initial concepts that were developed from the research report findings.
An early foam form, playing around with the format of the product.
An initial two battery concept.
More early foam forms. One a two battery design, one a single battery design.
From there it was decided that single battery was best for portability. Playing around with twist off parts.
Some exploration into twist off part touch points.
Annotations regarding dimensions, trying to figure out the balancing point between ergonomics, how pocketable it is, and fitting components in.
Further sizing annotations on a later concept.
Exploring touch points for the twist off sections.
Showing twisting.
The three parts.
Second angle of the three parts.
An early 3D printed development. This shape had issues around sizing.
Demonstrating the sizing issues, the mouthpiece is not long enough, therefore the nose interferes when in use.
Mouthpiece development
This research was carried out due to the vapouriser being blown back into after inhalation, and the user of the product often being stressed out while using the vapouriser. This means that they may be biting down, shaking, or unable to muster much strength to make a seal with their lips.
First a range of shapes were made by hand out of cibatool. These shapes included different edges, different curves on the top and bottom, different shapes, and different slopes towards the end.
The finished shapes.
These were vac-formed using non-toxic plastic and cut out to create multiple copies of each one.
Each shape was then put into a kit, and given to multiple volunteers to test and give feedback on.
The vac-formed shapes were then filled with resin to make them more solid, and had a small stick attached.
The provided feedback sheet.