Popcorn was one of the many organisations that worked to progress Medicine Mondiale’s Lifepod project in 2011-2013. This was an infant incubator for developing markets where many premature babies died due to lack of suitable medical-grade equipment.

The device was intended to be used where they often do not have access to filtered water, air, consistent power, nurse training, and other things many in the developed world take for granted. Many incubators that got sent to these markets fail after some time for these reasons.

Our team’s role was to create a prototype that looked like and worked like the final manufactured version. This involved conceptual and top level assembly design work to establish requirements for a strong base with functionality of attachments, adjustments, and other mechanical support equipment. In adopting a concurrent engineering process with designers, customers, and manufacturers, we were able to rapidly create functional prototypes for user testing. There were a variety of technologies and innovations included used including thermoforming, 3D printing, sheet metal forming, and other more traditional model-making techniques.

We were inspired by the ambitious goals set by Sir Ray Avery on this project, and learned more about how those in need require appropriately design medical equipment. This project definitely had an impact on us, and we are proud of the progress that we made. The project is still in pre-production, however, and we look forward to it making it to the market eventually.