Smart textile sleeve uses electrical simulation to reduce swelling

Researcher Dr Yang Wei, an expert in electronic textiles and electronic engineering in Nottingham Trent University’s School of Science and Technology said: “In the UK alone more than 200,000 people are affected by lymphoedema each year.” A chronic condition caused by fluid collecting in the soft tissue of the body.

“While there are some treatments to reduce pain and discomfort, their long-term effectiveness in treating the problem rather than addressing a symptom is uncertain. There is a need for an effective device in a convenient and wearable format that can be used by patients in the home to improve their quality of life.”

Created in partnership with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and with £450,000 funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, this smart sleeve will be made from highly breathable fabric and integrated with flexible printed circuits and electrodes. The overall objective is to help increase circulation of the lymphatic system, the network of channels and glands which works to remove excess fluid in the body.

Wei continues: “This will be a breakthrough smart medical textile garment which will be effective, unobtrusive and easy-to-use, stimulating lymph circulation and significantly improving the treatment of patients with lymphoedema.”

The sleeve will be durable and washable and able to fit different patients.

The initial focus will be on developing the technology for the arm, before being adapted for other parts of the body.

Professor Christine Moffatt CBE, Clinical Professor of Skin Integrity at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The potential of this project could radically change the management of patients with Lymphoedema and the use of compression in particular. It has personally been one of my own goals to see active compression and I am delighted to work with Dr Wei on this project.”