The 'KnitDema' glove has been developed by a team of researchers at Cornell University headed by associate professor Cindy (Hsin-Liu) Kao and doctoral student Heather (Jin Hee) Kim to aid with hand edema.
The prototype wearable is constructed with knitted yarn that encases a single finger and features alloy springs that surround it like a ring. The glove will respond to electrical currents to expand and contract accordingly, which will offer therapeutic effects for the patient. The system could help to support patients who might have trouble accessing traditional therapeutic care.
Kao commented on the inspiration for the 'KnitDema' glove saying, "Instead of having to schedule a hard-to-get visit with a therapist for MEM [manual edema massage], we envision this as something that people could take home with them. They would go to their rehab doctor and their occupational or physical therapist once, and at that session they would be able to configure the right amount of compression for daily use, then adjust as necessary."
Massaging Hand Healthcare Gloves
The 'KnitDema' Glove Alleviates Extremity Swelling
Trend Themes
1. Wearable Therapeutic Devices - The development of knitted wearable gloves equipped with electrical currents to expand and contract accordingly could inspire the creation of other wearable therapeutic devices.
2. Rise in Home Healthcare Devices - The potential of the 'KnitDema' glove to be a reliable substitute for traditional therapeutic care could lead to the rise of home healthcare devices.
3. Innovative Approaches in Hand Edema Treatment - The 'KnitDema' glove's innovative approach of combining knitted yarn and alloy springs to relieve hand edema could inspire other innovative approaches in the treatment of hand edema.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - The healthcare industry could benefit from incorporating wearable therapeutic devices like the 'KnitDema' glove to provide patients with more accessible and affordable treatment.
2. Medical Device - The 'KnitDema' glove is an innovative medical device that could lead to the creation of other wearable therapeutic devices for various medical conditions.
3. Physical Therapy - The physical therapy industry could benefit from incorporating the 'KnitDema' glove as a home healthcare device for patients with hand edema who have difficulty accessing traditional therapeutic care.