Interface Design
Patients with sleep apnea rely on CPAP therapy at night. The device supplies air at increased pressure through a mask. This pressure is essential to keep the airways open during sleep.
vent is a minimalist, human-centered redesign of CPAP therapy devices.
User research and interviews revealed that conventional CPAP devices are overloaded with features. Most are rarely used.
We reduced the product to its essentials and translated core functions into a tactile, intuitive interface.
One underestimated pain point: the device’s visual impact in the bedroom. Bright LEDs, sterile colors, technical shapes. It disrupt rest, intimacy, and personal space. Some patients even reported ending therapy due to the intrusive design. Our response: a product that respects the atmosphere of the bedroom. Inspired by Hygge, we balanced comfort and medical function.
Another challenge is the pressure spike at the beginning of each session. Especially for new patients, it can feel overwhelming and even like short-term breathlessness.
To support this moment, vent includes a haptic feedback element: a smart ball that physically reflects the pressure increase by expanding and contracting in the patient’s hand.
The interaction is two-way: if the pressure feels too intense, the patient can grip the ball and the system senses this and lowers the pressure accordingly. A simple principle: pressure creates counterpressure. This physical interaction is intuitive and calming in a high-stress moment.
vent supports patients not just technically, but emotionally — right from the start.
