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                             Veins and Lymphatics 2018; volume 7:7627

[page 68]                                                          [Veins and Lymphatics 2018; 7:7627]

Novel heterogeneous stiffness
for dynamic compression
reconstruction
Rong Liu
Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hum
Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR

Abstract
Compression therapy is the recom-

mended non-pharmaceutical choice for
edema and ulcers treatment through deliv-
ering static or dynamic pressure dosages to
the affected legs. The traditional compres-
sion modalities were prone to generate
peak or uneven cutaneous pressure around
anatomic geometries, leading to ischemia
or deficient pressure delivery as well as
discomfort or high non-compliance in clin-
ical practice. The aim of this study was to

reconstruct compression exertion through
novel designed heterogeneous three-
dimensional knitting structures and stiff-
ness control to avoid sustained peak pres-
sure but enhance muscular pumping action.
The new heterogeneous structures integrate
yielding and non-yielding elastic design via
advanced tension controlled weft-knitting
technologies to carter for anatomic mor-
phologies and pressure requirements of the
target users. The study indicated that the
hybrid ratios of elasticity and their segmen-
tal proportions significantly influence cuta-
neous pressure profile. The new heteroge-
neous structures can generate hybrid DSI in
compression shells with customized figura-
tions. The designed heterogeneous stiffness
reconstructed compression around the
lower limbs with reduction of cutaneous
pressure at anterior tibia bone crest by
2.0%-9.6% (P<0.05) while increased those
at posterior gastrocnemius regions by 9.3-
34.6% (P<0.05), resulting in more rational-
ly pressure profiles around lower limb but
maintaining degressive gradient from distal

to proximal lower limb. The novel com-
pression structures also present positive
wearing feedback in our on-going clinical
wear trials, which contribute to promote
pressure function and user’s compliance in
practice.

Correspondence: Rong Liu, Institute of
Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong
Polytechnic University, Hum Hom, Kowloon,
Hong Kong SAR.
E-mail: rong.liu@polyu.edu.hk 

Conference presentation: International
Compression Club (ICC) Meeting, Paris,
2017. 

This work is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution 4.0 License (by-nc 4.0).

©Copyright R. Liu, 2018
Licensee PAGEPress, Italy
Veins and Lymphatics 2018; 7:7627
doi:10.4081/vl.2018.7627

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