Wearable Electrical Stimulation to Improve Lymphatic Function

The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and glands spread throughout the body. It plays a vital role in transport mechanisms and overall functioning of tissues. Lymphoedema is a long-term condition caused by impaired lymphatic drainage. It can lead to skin damage, recurring infections, and reduced body functions. This study has developed and tested a fabric based wearable electrical stimulation device for lymphoedema management. The electrodes and conductive interconnections were directly printed onto an everyday clothing fabric using screen-printing technique. The wearable device is lightweight, highly flexible, breathable, and conformable and can be cleaned to enable reuse. Lymphatic imaging was used to identify changes in lymph behavior resulting from use of the e-textile device. Preliminary results confirm the increase in lymphatic function through the use of a wearable device.