A new stocking compression system with a low well-defined resting pressure and a high working pressure

Paper in proceeding, 2018

Compression stockings should preferably apply the intended pressure regardless of leg shape and circumference. This may require custom fitting. Today’s sizing system is focusing on the exerted pressure at the ankle region. A ready-made stocking may therefore exert correct pressure at the ankle, but the pressure at the calf may be well exceeded due to the actual size of the calf, leading to a tourniquet effect, ischemia or even increased risk of thrombosis. Even with a perfectly-fitted stocking, the problem with changes in leg circumference due to the increase/decrease in oedema is not resolved. Stocking donning problems vary with compression class and elasticity of the material used.

Added pressure over the calf area has been reported to improve venous pumping function more than graduated compression. Adding stiffness over the calf area may also improve the pumping function. Häfner et.al. stated that “Hemodynamically optimal compression products will make medical compression therapy an even more useful tool in the field of phlebology”.

With new smart textiles, the pressure can be controlled. The aim was therefore to evaluate a prototype of a stocking compression system with specified well-defined target resting pressure and supposedly high working pressure created by stiffness.