Invention's in the right vein

Pete Barr, a Product Design with Profession Experience BSc(Hons) student, has invented ‘VASO’ a hand-held dispenser of small chemical pads which warm veins causing them to dilate. This makes them easier to cannulate for the infusion of fluids and medications.

Pete said: “The product is designed to be cleaned in an autoclave, which both sterilises the device and resets the warming chemicals within the patches so they can be reused, creating a cycle of zero waste.”

Pete, 22 and from London, came up with the idea after an incident in hospital. A few weeks after having surgery on his finger he returned to hospital to have his bandage removed. Pete was shocked when the nurse unwrapped a brand new pair of scissors, cut the bandage and then threw the scissors away. This started Pete’s interest in using his university course to reduce medical equipment waste.

VASO

Peter Barr

He said: “My fascination in understanding the user and psychology behind design, and my passion for model making, means I always strive to create work that is both functional and beautiful, taking inspiration from designers such as Ettore Sottsass and Dieter Rams.”

Pete said he found his university course “creative, dynamic and involving like no other – always engaging and updating”. He added: “I believe products should make life both easier but also more enjoyable – thoughtful and persistent design work leads to elegant and satisfying solutions.

“Design is the most rewarding work you can ever do.”

Pete will be showing VASO at the university’s Graduate Show 2018 (#brightonshow2018) which runs from Saturday 2 June to Sunday 10 June at the university’s City campus in central Brighton, and from Tuesday 5 June to Sunday 10 June at Hastings Pier.