STEM and Technical Writing II!
Problem Statement
Around 20% of children and
adolescents experience hemovisualization-related psychogenic
paraesthesia (Bhatia, 2015). This disease can cause mobility issues
due to numbness in certain body parts. Current methods to treat this
numbness include fist clenching and applying pressure to increase
blood circulation. These methods, though effective, require more
client effort and are more time-consuming. Studies have demonstrated
how compression can help individuals regain function in their body
parts after experiencing numbness (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). Through
compression, inflammation can be reduced, leading to blood circulation
restoration. Therefore, our device aims to effectively reduce numbness
due to hemovisualization-related psychogenic paraesthesia through a
compression therapy device.
Design Approach
In order to aid our client, our group proposes building a compression sleeve-style device to apply pressure in waves. The purpose is to help return blood circulation to the arm and return movement for the client, speeding up the recovery process after an episode. The three design concepts include: a vibration therapy compression sleeve, a vibration therapy targeting nerves bracelet, and a step-motor-driven compression sleeve. The vibration therapy compression sleeve was chosen as our final design, as it aligned closely with our client needs. Though the other designs were not used, they provided useful insight into the production of our final design and provided valuable design feedback.
Vibration Therapy Compression Sleeve
This concept will utilize vibration therapy to increase blood circulation in the client's arm. Through bursts of vibration in intervals of 10-15 seconds, this device will reduce the numbness in the arm by improving circulation, thus relieving the client of the tingling or discomforting sensation. In our prototype, vibration motors are placed at anatomically strategic points in the sleeve (which is constructed with a lightweight, breathable, and non-irritating material), such as the extensor muscles, palm, and radial artery.
Vibration Therapy Targeting Nerves Bracelet
This design concept utilizes vibration stimulation targeted at the superficial radial nerve. Using a vibration motor embedded into a thin wristband sleeve, the device will allow for vibration located specifically at the superficial radial nerve. Stimulation targeted at the superficial radial nerve has been shown to help reverse vasoconstriction. The thin wristband sleeve will be made of a breathable material and will be effective in hiding the internal device components.
Step-Motor Driven Compression Sleeve
This design utilizes a step motor to contract the width of the compression sleeve, making it smaller and more compressive in intervals. This will allow pressure to be applied to stimulate blood flow and return feeling to the client. The step motor will turn for 15 seconds, wrapping the elastic portion of the sleeve onto itself. This will reduce the size of the sleeve and consequently apply pressure. Then, it will spin the other way, to release for 15 seconds. This process repeats for about 15 minutes, the duration of the client's episode.
Prototype
Poster
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