# Wearable IV Systems Alissa Rees' IV-Walk Enables Patients to Move More Freely By Ell Smith | Published 2017-10-26 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ivwalk References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2017/10/25/alissa-rees-wearable-alternative-hospital-drips-design-academy-eindhoven-dutch-design-week/) & [alissarees](http://www.alissarees.com/) In an effort to "humanize the hospital," design student Alissa Rees developed a wearable that supports intravenous systems called 'IV-Walk.' The patient-friendly design features a soft fabric that can be worn over the patient's shoulders, offering [more mobility](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sofia-mobility) than the traditional rigid metal pole. Based on her own personal experiences as a long-term hospital patient, Rees noted that current IV systems greatly restrict a patient's [freedom, making trips outside](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roami) of the room, or to the bathroom incredibly difficult. The drip pouches are stored within this [wearable design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sleev-1) -- fluids are then pumped through a tube, and into the hand. With IV-walk patients are granted the opportunity to move more freely, helping individuals walk outside and feel a greater sense of autonomy that's often vital to making a quick recovery. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.7/10 - Popularity: 62% | Activity: 72% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Patient-centric Design:** The trend of patient-centric design focuses on creating solutions that prioritize the comfort and mobility of patients, such as Alissa Rees' IV-Walk wearable IV system. - **Wearable Health Devices:** The trend of wearable health devices is revolutionizing the healthcare industry by enabling patients to monitor and manage their health on the go, as exemplified by the IV-Walk wearable IV system. - **Enhanced Patient Freedom:** The trend of enhanced patient freedom aims to empower patients by providing them with tools, like the IV-Walk wearable IV system, that allow them to move more freely and maintain a sense of independence during medical treatments. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Healthcare:** The healthcare industry can benefit from disruptive innovation opportunities by embracing patient-centric design principles and incorporating wearable health devices, such as the IV-Walk, into their systems. - **Medical Device:** The medical device industry has the opportunity to create innovative wearable IV systems, like Alissa Rees' IV-Walk, that improve patient mobility and overall hospital experience. - **Textile:** The textile industry can explore new markets and collaborations by developing soft and flexible fabrics that can be integrated into wearable healthcare devices, like the IV-Walk wearable IV system. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Wearable Drug Delivery Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-injector.md) - [Stroke Recovery Wearable Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-earpiece.md) - [Mobility Assistive Wearable Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-wim.md) - [Pet-Carrying Walking Aids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walking-aid-innovaion.md) - [Iron Deficiency Management Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iron-deficiency-management.md) - [Non-Intrusive Hydration Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/safebeing.md) - [AI-Powered Walking Aids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/legit-walking.md) - [Innovative Rehabilitation Sensor Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rehabilitation-sensor-system.md) - [Adaptive Mobility Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sofia-mobility.md)