ME 380 · Product Design
CPR PulseMate — Low-Cost Device Proposal
A product design proposal for a compact, low-cost CPR assistance device for untrained bystanders. Positioned against the LUCAS 3 to define cost and usability constraints.
ME 380 · Product Design
Low-cost mechanical CPR assistance device proposal for bystander use
Course
ME 380
Type
Product Proposal
Domain
Medical Device
System
Mechanical / Hybrid
Topic Overview
A product design proposal for a compact, low-cost CPR assistance device for use by untrained bystanders during sudden cardiac arrest — situations that occur at home, school, gyms, and public spaces where trained responders and equipment are usually absent.
Objective
Define the market gap and propose a mechanically powered or hybrid device that guides effective chest compressions without requiring the user to be CPR-trained, at a price point accessible to non-hospital settings.
Method
The proposal frames the problem against an existing product — the LUCAS 3 — and identifies why it does not address the bystander market: it is designed for EMS and hospital use only, costs $10,000–$20,000, requires electricity or batteries, and is too bulky and complex for an untrained user. The PulseMate concept targets exactly the constraints LUCAS leaves open: low cost, compact form, and simple operation.
Key Insight
The core problem is not that good CPR devices don't exist — it's that the affordable, simple ones don't. Manual CPR is tiring and inconsistent over time, and most bystanders lack the training or confidence to perform it well. Positioning a design against a clearly identified competitor (LUCAS 3) turns a vague "make CPR easier" goal into a defined set of cost and usability constraints.