Tulia Band
By Trish Kanana
The Tulia Band prototype is a speculative wearable PTSD treatment. The band is intended to be a networked device connected to The Moyo Monitor that sends an alert when unusual Heart Rat Variability activity is detected. The Tulia Band is envisioned as a speculative self-directed PTSD treatment based on existing PTSD interventions. The prototype has three different modes based on existing PTSD treatments which include:
➢ EMDR treatment which is a type of psychotherapy that encourages patients to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation such as rapid eye movements to reduce vividness of the memory (Maxfield et al. n.d.).
➢ Breathing Retraining is taught by a therapist to help patients manage distress and anxiety and works by taking a breath and exhaling very slowly to calm the patient (Wilson, Friedman, and Lindy 2012).The band is also designed as a proximity sensor so when two users are close to each other the band sends an alert using haptic vibration and an ambient light turns on.
Concept Development
Ideation mindmap for prototype development
Design Evolution
Design Influence
Prototype Development
Haptic Feedback Testing
Wrist
Chest
Forehead
Arm
Pressure Sensing Testing
Pressure sensing with foam, copper tape and Velostat
Pressure sensing output multicolor LEDs
Pressure sensing with felt, Conductive fabric and Resistive fabric
Pressure sensing output multicolor LEDs
Prototype Features
Three modes based on existing PTSD treatments
Switch Activation
Prototype Construction
Initial 3D printed and Felt Casing
Final 3D Printed Casing
3D Model Evolution
Moodboard
Initial 3D Model
2nd Iteration 3D Model
Final 3D Model
Final Design
Design Features
Symbolism and How it works
