Global push for medical vest that aims to enable cancer treatment for children

For seriously ill children and adolescents, intravenous drip stands can significantly hinder mobility. Umeå based Nil Medical has developed an ergonomic medical vest that conceals fluids, pumps, and tubing within the garment, allowing for unrestricted play and movement.
A national quality-of-life study is underway, in collaboration with Swedish healthcare, and Nil Medical aims to introduce the vest to the international market.

In 2011, industrial design master's student Martin Hanberger embarked a collaboration with the pediatric oncology department at Norrlands Universitetssjukhus in Umeå. The goal was to make long-term cancer treatments more bearable for children and young people.

"I learned about the challenge faced by children who are willing and able to play but are restricted in their movement due to being attached to an IV stand. After visiting the pediatric cancer ward, I felt inspired to address this issue using a user-centered design methodology” explains Martin Hanberger. ”It feels incredible to finally have a finished product after so many years of development – especially when we see how much the children appreciate it. Making things easier for them has always been our driving force”.

Developed with patients and healthcare professionals
An early prototype was created and tested without being connected to any treatment. After that, a project group of specialists in design, product development, and CE marking of medical devices collaborated with experienced staff from the pediatric oncology department to develop the Nil Medical Vestpack.

Together, they established requirements and conducted risk analyses to make the vest as safe and user-friendly as possible. Interviews with patients, families, and healthcare professionals have been central to the development process.

Support from Barncancerfonden
"One of the young users said, 'I want it to be nothing,'" Martin Hanberger explains. "The name Nil (English for 'zero') was thus born from the freedom of movement that our medical vest provides. Those who use it no longer have to be confined to drip stands; instead, they can move freely, safely, and securely."

Over the years, the project has received financial support from organizations such as Barncancerfonden (Childhood Cancer Foundation), Region Västerbotten, and the Swedish Innovation Agency, Vinnova.

Ongoing national quality of life study
A national quality of life study is underway in collaboration with Region Jönköping, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and Norrlands Universitetssjukhus.

The aim is to introduce the CE-marked infusion vest to the international market and provide as many children as possible with greater freedom of movement during treatment.

Martin has been in dialogue with the innovation support system in Umeå during the development process and felt that now, the timing was right to start collaborating more closely with the Umeå Biotech Incubator.

"Umeå Biotech Incubator has extensive business development expertise, a solid reputation and track record, and a broad network of contacts," Martin says. "We are really looking forward to start collaborating with UBI."

”Creates value for both patients and healthcare providers”
Andreas Lindberg, the responsible business coach at Umeå Biotech Incubator, adds:

”We look for ideas that make a difference and have global potential. Nil Medical, with Vestpack, has a unique concept that creates clear value for both patients and healthcare providers. It is motivating and exciting to work with Nil Medical to ensure Vestpack reaches the potential we believe it has”.

For more info, please contact
Martin Hanberger, founder and industrial designer, Nil Medical
Telephone: +46-72 560 56 60
E-mail: info@nilmedical.com