SINGAPORE: RESEARCHERS DEVELOP ROBOTIC SOCK FOR DVT
February 10, 2015; Posted by: WeBleed staff
Researchers develop device to promote blood circulation and prevent clots.
According to an article by Newswise, a team of researchers from the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering has invented a novel sock that can help prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and improve survival rates of patients. Equipped with soft actuators that mimic the tentacle movements of corals, the robotic sock emulates natural lower leg muscle contractions in the wearer’s leg, thereby promoting blood circulation throughout the wearer’s body. In addition, the novel device can potentially optimise therapy sessions and enable the patient’s lower leg movements to be monitored to improve therapy outcomes.
Mr. Low Fanzhe of the NUS Department of Biomedical Engineering states: “We chose to use only soft components and actuators to increase patient comfort during use, hence minimising the risk of injury from excessive mechanical forces. Compression stockings are currently used in the hospital wards, so it makes sense to use a similar sock-based approach to provide comfort and minimise bulk on the ankle and foot.”
Click the link here to learn more about the “RoboSock.”
Photo Credit – Newswise
