L2M: Actively Contracting Compression Sock (Smart Sock) for Post-Thrombotic Syndrome

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is the occurrence of blood clots in the deep veins of the lower legs, occurs in 10 million people annually and leads to death in 1 out of 4 people globally. The risk for developing DVT increases exponentially with age, two-thirds of all patients are >60 years of age. Post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) occurs within 1-2 years for up to 50% of DVT patients. PTS has a range of symptoms and clinical indicators related to chronic venous insufficiency, such as chronic swelling, chronic pain, ulcerations, and paresthesia, leading to a reduced quality of life for patients with PTS and an economic healthcare cost per patient of $4527 in Canada. The common non-invasive treatment option for PTS are compression stockings, which have low static compression, lack cyclic pressure, have poor patient compliance and lead to skin breakdown. Additionally, pneumatic compression pumps generate clinically effective compression pressures but are not portable, expensive, and require medical assistance. By combining the portability of the compression stockings and the clinically effective compression pressures of the pneumatic compression pumps, a hybrid, actively contracting Smart Sock composed of an active textile will be developed for patients with PTS. The development of an easy to wear, portable Smart Sock with intermittent and cyclic compression, a wide range of clinical grade compression pressures and a user-friendly interface could aid in improving the quality of life for PTS and at-risk patients.

Faculty Supervisor:

John Madden

Student:

Partner:

I-INC Foundation for Business Development

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: