Duet

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-lasting disease that affects the body and mind with invisible symptoms such as fatigue, pain, memory loss, trouble in coherent thinking, communication and more. People with MS constantly adjust to the differences between how they feel “inside” and how the world reacts to them when they “look fine” on the outside. Family members, friends, employers and even doctors often doubt the validity or intensity of invisible symptoms. When enough of that happens, people with MS begin to doubt their own perceptions and are further pushed into isolation and feeling that they cannot communicate what they are really experiencing.

Duet is an IOT connected 8-sided device, which allows a person with Multiple Sclerosis to program each side with a need (physical or emotional) they want to communicate regularly to their care-partners. The side facing up is the current need or emotion the person with MS is experiencing. Each need is a different color, which lights up the whole device as changed. This device is connected with the Duet app which is used by all care-partners and the person with MS. Designed with position sensors and IOT capability, once the Duet device is flipped on a side by the MS patient, the care-partners receive the communicated message on the Duet app. This interaction allows the MS patient to say what they are feeling or communicate a need without feeling like a burden and the care-partners are kept informed about what their loved one is experiencing. This is empowering for the MS patient.

Carepartners keep up to date with what their loved one is experiencing at the moment or what their day has been like, taking appropriate steps to respond or interact with the MS patient and to help make them feel better or comfortable. The app also makes suggestions on this end. The Duet app presents information about MS in a comprehensive way, different than the overwhelming form of information which they need to weed through online. This empowers carepartners to make the right decisions for the MS patient quicker and with more confidence, in response to how their loved one is feeling or what they are communicating.

Duet is designed for people with MS and their families who struggle to understand their loved one’s needs and emotions on a day-to-day basis. This is crucial in MS care, especially when their loved one feels like a burden sharing their needs out loud. The Duet device is a low-key way for people with MS to communicate those needs and keep their families up to date. Increasing awareness helps families respond effectively to their loved one, and ultimately help them feel better.

Duet empowers people with MS and their families to improve everyday symptom management together, through better communication and understanding of MS.