Malu – children’s ECG Holter

DESIGN: Zofia Hernas

Poland

make me! 2021

The make me! Interprint Award in the amount of PLN 10.000, funded by its sponsor INTERPRINT Polska.

Malu is an ECG Holter for children. The aim of the project was to create a product tailored to the needs of small patients and to improve comfort during the examination.

An ECG Holter test is a routine procedure performed to detect a heart defect or to check for an existing heart defect. Many children from an early age undergo monitoring with an ECG Holter, but there are no child dedicated devices. The Malu project was created based on consultations with pediatric cardiologists, parents of children with heart defects and specialists in medical technology. This is an innovative solution on the medical equipment market.

The Malu consists of a comfortable vest that holds the device on the chest and a recorder adapted in shape to children. The vest has a central part made of medical silicone and adjustable, textile suspenders attached to it. The middle part is responsible for stabilization and hiding the excess cable and also has space for a recorder. Adjustable suspenders allow the product to be adapted to different age groups of recipients. The recorder has a round, triangular shape, with one on/off button; on each corner of the device there are LEDs that inform the user about the end of the test, problems with the electrode, low battery and battery charge.

The functionalities used in the design improve the comfort of wearing the device and relieve parents from supervising the test. The round, friendly form of the product reduces fear and bad associations with medical equipment. Malu is more like an interesting gadget or piece of clothing that a child can personalize by changing the patterns and colours of the vest.