Reclaiming childhood: Innovative design brings joy to young cancer patients
Imagine a world where children undergoing cancer treatment can play and move freely, unburdened by the tubes and pumps that typically restrict their activities. This vision has become a reality through Martin Hanberger, a former student of Umeå Institute of Design, whose graduation project from 2011 is beginning to transform lives.
The Nil Medical Vestpack, developed by Martin Hanberger, started as a UID grad project. The vest conceals fluids, pumps, and tubing, allowing for unrestricted play and movement.
Martin’s journey began over a decade ago in the UID workshops where he designed his first prototypes. In collaboration with the pediatric oncology department at Norrlands University Hospital, he identified a major challenge during the early research for his grad project: the restrictive nature of traditional IV stands used by young cancer patients. These stands, while essential for treatment, often limited the children’s ability to move and play.
To address this issue, Martin developed a vest that could house all the necessary tubes, fluids, and pumps required during treatment. This innovative design allows children to move freely and engage in playful activities, even during their medical procedures. Inspired by a young user’s wish for it to feel like “nothing,” the vest uses padded materials and smart security solutions to protect the infusion system. It has an ergonomic, snug fit to distribute weight and minimize pressure on the access point.
The Nil Medical Vestpack is ergonomic with smart features for a safe therapy, all to minimize any noticeable impact on the wearer and to be easy to handle for healthcare providers and caregivers.
“She’s free and active”
Today, Martin’s vest is already making a real difference. Five-year-old Vilma is one of the children who has benefited from this invention. Her mother, Emelie Tholin, describes the vest in an interview with Swedish national television as “absolutely fantastic” because it allows Vilma to be free and active.
“It’s wonderful to see her play and not be limited by her treatment. She isn’t even thinking about the fact that she’s wearing the vest. The driving force has always been to make things easier for children and parents undergoing tough treatments”, says Martin Hanberger.
Designed with children, for children
The development of the vest was a meticulous process. An early prototype was created and tested without being connected to any treatment. A project group, including specialists in design, product development, and CE marking of medical devices, collaborated with experienced staff from the pediatric oncology department. Together, they established requirements and conducted risk analyses to ensure the vest was safe and user-friendly. Interviews with patients, families, and healthcare professionals were central to the development process.
Currently, a national quality-of-life study is underway in collaboration with several hospitals and regions across Sweden. This study aims to validate the benefits of the vest and explore its potential for other patients. The hope is now to introduce the CE-marked infusion vest to the international market and provide as many children as possible with greater freedom of movement during treatment.
Martin Hanberger’s work exemplifies how thoughtful design can address real-world problems and improve lives. His journey from a UID student to an innovator continues to inspire, demonstrating the impact of human-centered design.