8A - Solving the Problem

8A – Solving the Problem

My product and or service involves creating a way for Sleep Apnea patients to save time and the stress of cleaning and washing their CPAP masks (and maybe hoses).

There are devices that will sanitize the masks, but they do not actually clean the mask. Thus, the oils and dirt remain, just germ free.

There are two ways that I feel I could approach this:

1) Invent a product to sell, that is safe for the masks and can be used in a washing machine without an agitator.

2) Approach this as a service. Go to people’s houses, Doctor’s offices, retirement homes, nursing homes, hospitals ect. and maybe have a mobile cleaning van. I could stop by a different neighborhood or facility each day.

  • This thought seems easier, and as Dr. Pryor says: Simple, Fast and Ugly? The idea that it’s something I could do NOW.

  • I could also maximize my product service mix by offering maybe masks for sale in my van or extra hoses. – This would require being able to accept prescriptions, so maybe this would just complicate things.

  • Maybe, while I’m out cleaning masks, I could develop a recycling system for old masks. I’m sure they just end up in the dump.

I know that cleaning the CPAP masks are important and people spend time doing it. In my future interviews, I will dive deeper into WHY they want to clean their masks.

Any ideas? :)

Comments

  1. William SallerSeptember 21, 2019 at 11:26 PM

    Hey Elizabeth

    I thought those were some great ideas. It would be a good idea to invent something that could be cleaned in the washing machine like you said or maybe even the dish washer. I also think it would be a great idea for you to go to places like hospitals, nursing homes, and retirement homes. A recycling idea for the masks would be really beneficial and could help save money. It would also benefit the environment since they wouldn't just be getting thrown away. Great ideas and post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jake PiotrowskiSeptember 22, 2019 at 7:08 PM

    Hey Liz,

    I liked that you broke this opportunity into both a potential product, as well as a potential service. You're correct in saying that if you offered to clean CPAP masks immediately, you would definitely satisfy the Fast, Simple, Ugly scheme, and I honestly think this would be more successful than trying to invent your own new product centered around using the washing machine. This is primarily because I just think people already have the need for CPAP mask cleaning, and by offering it as a service you can dive into it immediately. Once again, I think this post really covered all possible angles of this assignment and I don't really feel there is anything you need to improve.

    ReplyDelete

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