Munirah Fulani

Medical-Grade Weighted Blanket Development

Details

Virginia Commonwealth University – Sponsored Project Collaborated with VCU Health System Nursing Research and Innovation Program:

This project focused on redesigning the current medical-grade weighted blanket used in delirium mitigation for ICU patients. The goal was to address two critical user issues: discomfort from heat retention and excessive weight, which frequently led to patient non-compliance.

Role & Contributions:

  • Conducted research on delirium’s neurological impact and the therapeutic
    benefits of deep pressure stimulation.
  • Led the material research and prototyping, evaluating solutions that balanced
    comfort, weight distribution, and cooling capabilities while maintaining
    medical-grade compliance.
  • Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to develop modular blanket
    prototypes, including reversible cooling-warming designs and targeted pressure
    zones.

Project Outcomes:

  • Delivered a validated prototype using breathable, cooling fabrics to mitigate heat retention while maintaining therapeutic benefits.

  • Presented a detailed market analysis and production cost model, recommending a target price of $150–$200 for hospitals, with a calculated ROI of up to 4900% based on reduced patient care costs.

  • Designed a strategic roadmap for commercialization, addressing key challenges in scaling, clinical testing, and hospital procurement.

Impact & Insights:

  • Highlighted the importance of patient-centered design in medical devices,
    integrating feedback from ICU nurses, patients, and hospital administrators.
  • Demonstrated the potential for non-pharmacological interventions to reduce ICU
    delirium, offering a scalable and innovative alternative for hospital settings.