2024 | Professional

MUSE Design Awards Silver Winner

Horizpec

Entrant Company

Functional Form Block Allies

Category

Product Design - Medical Devices

Client's Name

Country / Region

United Kingdom

The Horizpec is a redesigned speculum that addresses a long-standing issue in women’s healthcare: the traditional V-shaped speculum. For over a century, the V-shaped design has remained largely unchanged, despite being poorly paired with vaginal anatomy. The V-shaped bills can cause significant discomfort and tissue damage, particularly in high-stress environments.



In countries with large populations, such as Pakistan, India, and China, doctors often examine over a hundred patients per day. While medical protocol advises doctors to assess patient comfort during each step of the exam, the reality is that high workloads lead to burnout. After seeing dozens of patients daily, many doctors may inadvertently skip essential steps, including asking how the patient feels. The physical strain and mental exhaustion often result in sudden and forceful use of the traditional V-shaped speculum, increasing the risk of body damage.

And this actually happend worldwide.



Common mistakes due to doctor fatigue include opening the V-shaped speculum too abruptly or, in more severe cases, forgetting to close the bills before removing the device. These errors not only compromise patient safety but also increase the likelihood of tissue damage.



Horizpec directly solves these issues by introducing a more anatomically compatible design. Its two bills open horizontally, reducing the risk of sudden intersection with sensitive tissue. The smooth, ergonomic shape minimizes discomfort and allows for safer, more controlled insertion and removal. By pairing modern material technology with thoughtful design, Horizpec helps prevent common errors caused by doctor fatigue, protecting patients and reducing the likelihood of injury.



This innovation makes Horizpec a vital tool, particularly in high-volume healthcare settings, where patient safety and comfort are paramount. As the product enters its prototyping phase, it has already demonstrated its ability to meet all design goals, offering a safer, more intuitive alternative to outdated speculum designs.



Credits

Designer
Menghai Xia
Designer
Siyu Zang
Designer
Weijing Zhao
Designer
Qijun Nie
Designer
Yuting Xiao
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