When Dr. Sharada Damaraju, a clinical neuropsychologist, noticed how elderly and mobility-impaired patients struggled to locate their nurse call buttons, especially at night, she saw more than inconvenience; she saw a loss of independence and safety.
The standard white plastic button often blended with sheets and pillows, making it nearly invisible in low light. Patients would reach, strain, or even fall while trying to summon help.
Determined to solve this safety-critical issue, Dr. Damaraju founded Dignity & Empowerment with one mission: to give patients their control, comfort, and dignity back. She partnered with LA New Product Development Team (LA NPDT) to bring her idea to life through expert medical product development and healthcare product design and development.
Our journey began with a vision, a simple yet powerful concept: a soft, hygienic, glow-in-the-dark silicone sleeve that slips over any standard nurse call device, making it easy to see and safe to touch.
We collaborated closely with Dr. Damaraju through every stage of healthcare product development. Multiple design iterations, prototype evaluations, and material trials were conducted to achieve the perfect balance of softness, durability, glow performance, and safety.
Through rapid prototyping and continuous feedback loops, we refined the geometry to fit existing devices seamlessly. The design included small collapsible bristles that reduce drag on fragile skin and provide subtle sensory feedback for grip and comfort.
Developing a healthcare product for patient contact required precision, cleanliness, and adherence to safety-critical product development standards. Every design choice, from material hardness (20 Shore A) to pigment ratios, was validated for usability, safety, and manufacturability.
We tested several formulations of medical-grade silicone and glow pigments to ensure visibility without compromising hygiene. The final product performs under sterilization and cleaning, and can withstand autoclave conditions. It’s an ideal combination of science, empathy, and engineering.
We transformed an early idea into a fully engineered solution, optimizing ergonomics, surface texture, and visual performance. Each curve, opening, and bristle pattern was refined to protect frail skin while ensuring durability.
Our team produced multiple 3D-printed and cast prototypes, testing silicone blends and glow materials for brightness, tactile response, and sterilization tolerance. Each iteration was validated for use in medical product development.
We prepared complete DFM documentation, selected tooling methods, and managed the first low-volume manufacturing run. This ensured repeatability, cost efficiency, and consistent quality control.
We created the Dignity & Empowerment brand identity, symbolizing safety, visibility, and compassion. The logo and color palette were designed to resonate with healthcare professionals and patients alike.
We developed website content, product descriptions, and imagery, and created educational materials that helped launch the company’s digital presence to reach hospitals, nursing homes, and care facilities.
Our design team produced clear packaging layouts and instruction manuals detailing installation, cleaning, and charging processes.
This collaboration between Dignity & Empowerment and LA NPDT exemplifies how innovation in healthcare product design and development can transform lives.
The Nurse Call Cover enables patients, especially the elderly and those with limited mobility, to locate help instantly. It reduces the risk of falls, injuries, and delayed responses, restoring dignity by allowing patients to act independently and confidently in their care environments.
Beyond individual benefit, hospitals and nursing facilities gain improved safety metrics, fewer incidents, and increased patient satisfaction.
By combining medical insight with technical expertise, this partnership turned empathy into engineering, and engineering into empowerment.
Innovation in healthcare begins with empathy and thoughtful design. The Nurse Call Cover by Dignity & Empowerment shows how the right combination of science, creativity, and compassion can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
I highly recommend the LA New Product Development Team for any of your new product development needs!!! From the development of my concept to the actual prototype, the process was seamless! I especially loved the quick responsiveness to any questions I had about the product development. As well, I received regular updates during stages of development, so I was not left wondering how things were going. The steps were clearly outlined, along with estimated costs. I could not be happier!
Visit DignityandEmpowerment.com to learn more about this life-improving product and how it’s empowering patients across care facilities.
If you have an idea or a challenge in medical product development or healthcare product design and development, our team at LA New Product Development Team is ready to help you bring it to life, from concept and prototyping to manufacturing and launch. Contact us today to start developing your next innovation in patient care.
LA New Product Development Team (LA NPDT) specializes in early-stage innovation, from idea generation and product discovery to concept design, prototyping, and manufacturing support.
LA NPDT partners with startups, entrepreneurs, and growing businesses to turn raw ideas into well-defined, market-ready solutions.
Please submit your contact info to receive an example of a new product development plan.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your order, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Please fill out the form to submit your order.
Upon successful payment, you will receive an email with a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and a questionnaire regarding your product idea.
Your privacy and security are paramount to us, so rest assured that your information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
Step 1: Fill in your contact and billing details.
Step 2: Review your order summary.
Step 3: Submit payment.
After your payment is processed, please check your email for the NDA and questionnaire. Completing these documents promptly will allow us to start your Prior Art Search without delay.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your order, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Please fill out the form to submit your order.
Upon successful payment, you will receive an email with a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and a questionnaire regarding your product idea.
Your privacy and security are paramount to us, so rest assured that your information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
Step 1: Fill in your contact and billing details.
Step 2: Review your order summary.
Step 3: Submit payment.
After your payment is processed, please check your email for the NDA and questionnaire. Completing these documents promptly will allow us to start your Prior Art Search without delay.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your order, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Please fill out the form to submit your order.
Upon successful payment, you will receive an email with a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and a questionnaire regarding your product idea.
Your privacy and security are paramount to us, so rest assured that your information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
Step 1: Fill in your contact and billing details.
Step 2: Review your order summary.
Step 3: Submit payment.
After your payment is processed, please check your email for the NDA and questionnaire. Completing these documents promptly will allow us to start your Prior Art Search without delay.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your order, please don’t hesitate to contact us.