Careo

Medical product design for infusion experience

Pratt Institute

Student Project - Individual Work

February - May, 2024

Careo is a wearable IV support system designed to reduce the physical burden of long infusion sessions.
Instead of constantly carrying or pushing an IV pole, users can secure the device directly onto the body, allowing greater mobility and freeing their hands during treatment.

Designed around the everyday realities of infusion rooms in China, Careo supports walking, waiting, caregiving, and restroom use during extended treatment periods. It transforms the IV pole from an external object into a wearable support system integrated with the body.

Current situation

In many Chinese infusion rooms, IV poles are attached to chairs, limiting mobility during treatment. To help children move around, some parents carry IV bags using improvised poles, occupying one hand while already managing bags, belongings, and childcare.

Pain Points

Caregivers often need to carry bags, jackets, medical documents, and the IV pole at the same time. 
Children may need to eat, walk around, or use the restroom during infusion.
When the caregiver and child are different genders, children often have to carry the IV pole into the restroom alone.

Interview

Sister with her energetic brother

“I need to bring clothes, a clothes hanger, water, medicines, etc. It's quite difficult to carry all these items.”

“The child is so energetic that I'm exhausted from interacting with him.”

Father with his introverted children

“The child was a little scared of the needle, but something helped to divert his attention.”

“The child is already very uncomfortable due to the illness. I will take all the necessary items myself, including the infusion bag.”