Context
A pre-seed digital health startup partnered with iO Lifescience to build the first prototype of a multi-sensor wearable and clinician dashboard for dialysis patients. The goal: provide continuous, patient-friendly monitoring between treatments to reduce vascular-access complications and prevent unplanned hospitalizations.
Challenges
The program required solving for:
- Concept-to-device translation: Turning clinical requirements into a wearable + hub + cloud system suitable for at-home use.
- Signal reliability: Capturing accurate data on fragile skin, across body types and movement, with low power consumption.
- Human factors: Designing for days-long comfort, simple onboarding, clear user feedback, and safe disposability.
- Speed & credibility: Delivering investor-ready prototypes and a defensible COGS/scale-up plan on a compressed schedule.
iO provided systems engineering, sensor validation, electronics & firmware, industrial design, human-factors studies, and pilot manufacturing sourcing.
Outcomes
- Delivered alpha in 8–12 weeks, beta in 16–20 weeks, enabling demos and testing with nephrology advisors.
- Achieved ≥90% task success in usability studies, guiding labeling and design refinements.
- Laid manufacturing groundwork with DFM, COGS, and vetted EMS partners for pilot builds.
- Supported fundraising and clinical traction, helping the startup secure investment and advance toward an executable product roadmap.
