Varicose veins and knee pain are common problems affecting many people in Hong Kong. Suitable compression hosiery and knee brace are crucial for the patients. In this issue, Dr Guo Xia (left), Associate Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, introduces her newly developed integrated compression orthesis.
What are the shortcomings of the conventional compression hosiery and knee brace?
Most compression hosiery and knee brace in the market are made of neoprene which causes skin allergy in case of long-term usage. Since these products are not especially made for Asian legs and sizes, the compression points are fairly inaccurate. This may hinder users’ blood circulation, causing leg swelling and even deep vein thrombosis.
How does your study help tackle these shortcomings?
Last year, we conducted a two-year study to develop an integrated compression orthesis (comprising compression hosiery and knee brace) designed for Asian legs and size which can prevent and heal the varicose veins and knee pains.
Two hundred volunteering subjects (half male and half female) aged between 40 to 60 conducted body scanning. The data collected was used to build a human body figure and size system. Visual big data analysis was then conducted based on a mathematical model.
What are the findings?
Over 60% subjects aged 45 and above have chronic venous insufficiency and gonitis at the same time. As such, healthcare and treatment of such illnesses are of high importance.
High risk individuals like people who have to stand/sit for long periods, obese people and pregnant women can put on the compression orthesis during daytime to prevent or alleviate pain.
What are the features of the novel integrated compression orthesis?
Adopting “3D hybrid weft knitting” technology, the integrated compression orthesis delivered bi-axial elastic tension and precise degressive gradient compression to improve blood circulation of the legs and support the controlled mobilisation of knee joints.
Designed based on anthropotomy and biomechanics, the compression orthesis can control the distribution and extent of progressive compression on calves and thus to prevent focal compression on legs as using tourniquet. Also, the orthesis is made of medical fabrics and designed in seamless knitting, making it air-permeable and will not cause skin irritation. The orthesis thus offers users perfect fit and comfort. The fabrics can even retain performance after being washed for more than 200 times.
What is the future development of this project?
We are hounoured to win a Bronze Medal at the 44th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in Switzerland with this invention. Next year, we plan to launch a mobile app by which users can upload photos of their legs from different angles for the system to calculate and produce compression hosiery and knee brace to fit different sizes.