I led product design for Mobili-T, a mobile swallowing therapy system for people with dysphagia (the medical term for difficulty swallowing). I was involved from the earliest stages of R&D through to commercialization, leading UI/UX, industrial design, patient-focused research, brand, onboarding and all of the design gaps needed in a Startup. Mobili-T was adopted by 50+ leading health organizations, including Stanford Medical, Harvard Medical, Kaiser Permanente, Cleveland Clinic, and UCLA Health.
I worked closely with clinicians, engineers, researchers, and patients to translate clinical protocols into at-home therapy experiences. What started as a hospital-based technology, evolved into a portable, sensor-driven system that enables patients to complete therapy remotely while clinicians monitor progress. This work ultimately led to the creation of True Angle Medical Technologies, a spin-off company built to bring Mobili-T to market.
Each year, 1 in 6 adults experiences a swallowing disorder. It disrupts the most basic human functions: eating, speaking, and social connection. Surface electromyography (sEMG) is the clinical gold standard for swallowing therapy, using muscle signals to provide real-time feedback. Traditional systems are large, expensive, and limited to clinical settings. They require (error prone) precise electrode placement under the jaw, and rely on wired connections that can be uncomfortable, prone to dislodgement, and susceptible to signal interference.
We improved access, cost and convenience for an extremely prevalent disorder that is exceptionally underserved. We did this by immersing ourselves in the lives of patients, the responsibilities of clinicians and the challenges facing administrators when adopting new technologies.
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Mobili-T: Mobile Therapy for Dysphagia
Like physical therapy for a knee injury, swallowing therapy helps patients with dysphagia rebuild the muscle strength needed to eat and speak. The most severe cases of dysphagia are caused by conditions like head and neck cancer or stroke. Dysphagia affects more than 500 million people worldwide, leading to malnutrition, extended hospital stays, and significant psychosocial challenges.
Designed in close collaboration with patients and clinicians, Mobili-T enables remotely monitored therapy that was previously limited to major hospitals. An under-chin sensor (held by a custom adhesive) tracks muscle activity in real time, bringing effective treatment into everyday settings.
