Yearly around 300 patients at Erasmus MC receive targeted temperature management as a treatment. Currently, two methods are used at the hospital: the Arctic Sun pads and the Thermogard XP system with Quatro catheter. The Arctic Sun is an external cooling method, whereas the Thermogard is an internal cooling method. A third method was recently introduced: the STx Vest, another external cooling method. All methods involve many disposable products. Amongst medical staff the question was raised whether this treatment can be improved with regard to sustainability. Sustainability in the health sector is low, many disposables are used as opposed to reusables, due to the current profit system as well as hygiene and safety of patients. This thesis aims to answer the research question: How can a safe, feasible, sustainable cooling method for patients receiving targeted temperature management in hospitals be designed?

Research was done into temperature treatment, existing products, and the methods used at Erasmus MC. An overview was made of the three products with regard to four pillars in healthcare: cost, sustainability, workload and experience. The STx Vest scored the best in this comparison. Stakeholders were involved in the process of getting familiar with the existing methods. Requirements and wishes for a product providing targeted temperature management were gathered. After discovering the methods at EMC, pain points were identified to then create a design goal for this project. This design goal is: Creating a reusable external cooling method, with no adhesive layer which is available for all patients at EMC and whose patients can be transferred to surrounding hospitals.
With this design goal in mind, design iterations were started. A triple diamond structure was used during this phase and stakeholders were involved throughout the process to deliver feedback and useful insights. Eventually, the ideation phase resulted in three concepts of which the concept of reusable cooling pads was chosen to continue with. The next iteration with feedback resulted in the concept presented in this thesis: the Clinichill.

The Clinichill is a reusable cooling vest which is made of a mono-material to enhance recyclability value for end-of-life. The vest is made of Polyethylene, which is suitable for the chemicals involved in protocols for reusable products used in the hospital. Furthermore this material is relatively cheap, easy to manufacture, water resistant and allows heat transfer easily. The Clinichill is compatible with the machines of the Arctic Sun, to accommodate patients who are transferred to other hospitals whilst receiving target temperature management. The concept is simple in use, it consists of one pad with easy closing of nano tape, which is reusable during treatment of one patient. The main advantage of the concept is its simplicity according to nurses. Doctors find the concept and the process to find such products can be made reusable to be very valuable.

This thesis has proven that a safe, feasible, sustainable cooling method for patients can be achieved and manufactured. By using the Clinichill, Erasmus MC will decrease waste of disposables by 450 kg per year.