Prolong

Prolong - brand, pack and product development for innovation in sexual health

Background

25 % of men and their partners are affected by premature ejaculation.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Andy Zamar had undertaken extensive research.  A clinically-proven treatment technique offered scope to improve men’s sexual well-being if combined with a new device.To commercialise the innovation, Dr Zamar set up Auris Medtech, a start-up medical device business with no in-house resources, requiring a full range of support.  Lucid won the commission to help in a competitive tender process.

Objectives included:

• Corporate/brand identity development.

• Industrial and electronics design. 

• Packaging development.

• Instructions for use.

• Manufacturing setup and pre-production management.

• Compliance with international medical device regulation and standards.

• Intellectual property strategy and submission support.

Discovery

To understand marketing, human, clinical and technical challenges in a sensitive context, Lucid’s UX, UI and industrial designers met with clinicians and Auris’ international distribution partners. 

We mapped clinical protocols, analysed research experience, user feedback and competitive context.

Prioritising opportunities to add perception of value, clinical efficacy, Lucid proposed and integrated, but modular approach to manage product, brand pack and information development.

Design

Creating storyboards, working prototypes, pack and instruction mock-ups, stakeholders provided valuable feedback in the design process. 

A clean, minimalist aesthetic was integrated with simple, robust user interaction.  Formative usability testing informed medical device hazard analysis and initial risk management.

Delivery

Electronics development following ISO 60601, with formative human factors engineering studies ensuring risk management compliant to ISO 14971.

Results

Usability

In a sensitive context, the Prolong device and its brand were extensively evaluated verifying user acceptance of intuitive, reliable and effective use.

Brand impact

Lucid proposed the Prolong brand, positioned as a positive opportunity to enhance sexual health and performance. 

Regulatory and safety

Lucid outputs, supplied consistent with ISO 13485 medical device design and manufacturing accreditation have contributed to Auris successfully achieving FDA clearance and CE marking.

Sustainability and Social Impact

Accelerating treatment significantly impacts psychological well-being and healthy relationships.

Manufacturability

Lucid provided international translations and packaging variations, sourced and evaluated competent supply partners, verifying pre-production prior to handover.