Image Credit : © Acumen Design Associates/Firstkind Ltd
Project Overview
The innovative firefly™ is a simple, convenient and time-efficient electronic device designed for athletes to accelerate recovery after exercise and minor injury. Portable—with no leads or wires—and worn behind the knee, the firefly™ device delivers painless electrical impulses to gently activate the muscles of the lower leg to increase blood circulation. It is one-size-fits-all with clinically proven sports recovery benefits, including the reduction of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) within 24 hours of high intensity exercise, aiding the recovery from a sprain or strain and reducing swelling following an injury.
The firefly™ device is used by athletes at all levels, including Premier League footballers and British Olympic triathlete Vicky Holland. The original firefly™ device was used during the 2012 Games by medal winning members of Team GB, and the T-2 is in active use by members of Great Britain’s Paralympic team for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
The device has also been endorsed by the Head of Research & Innovation at UK Sport, Dr Scott Drawer who said: “The physiological effects, portability and ease of the firefly™ device provides an additional approach to effectively manage the stressors of being a competitive athlete”.
Organisation
Acumen Design Associates
Project Brief
Acumen Design Associates—in partnership with Firstkind— tasked themselves with optimising the patented OnPulse™ technology to create a piece of innovative, wearable technology that could revolutionise the way in which athletes recover from high intensity exercise.
The project’s goal was to create a dynamic piece of wearable technology that would act as an extension of the athlete’s own body and help to significantly increase blood flow and circulation. The final design needed to adhere to all medical regulations, be non-intrusive and easy for the athlete or team doctor to use and apply.
Project Innovation/Need
With no established industry to refer to, Acumen set about creating a unique and ergonomically designed product that provided its users with real sporting benefits. Ideal for athletes at all levels; the firefly™ is capable of reducing DOMS within 24 hours by increasing blood circulation in the lower limbs.
The device delivers painless electrical pulses to the common peroneal nerve to activate the muscle pumps of the lower leg that return blood towards the heart, mimicking the blood flow rate of walking - shown to be up to 60% - without users having to move or exert any energy.
Independent research studies have shown that the firefly™ device aids recovery from muscular strains and sprains, as well as helping to reduce swelling following an injury. The product allows athletes to train at high-intensity much more frequently; improving their recovery times and helping them achieve peak performance.
Design Challenge
The biggest challenge from a design perspective was ensuring that the firefly™ device was able to adapt to the wearer’s body. Acumen needed to ensure the product had a universal design that could acclimatise to all different skin types and was able to be administered and used effectively by users of all leg sizes.
The way the device attached itself to the body was another challenge that the design team had to overcome. By opting to use sticky electrode pads, the firefly™ design allows for users to maximise the capability of the device whilst making its application and removal a quick and easy process.
Sustainability
One of the first disposable products to contain a battery, the firefly ™ device is entirely recyclable. The product features a ‘break-out system’ whereby the user can remove the battery and dispose of it accordingly, whilst the shell of the device is made wholly from recyclable materials and can therefore be recycled after use.
2016 London Design Awards
Product Design - Sport - Active Life
This award celebrates creative and innovative design for either a component or overall product. Consideration given to aspects that relate to human usage, aesthetics, selection of components and materials, and the resolution of assembly, manufacturing and the overall function.
More Details
