A Method That Precisely Pressurizes the Local Limb

Abstract

Pressure garment treatment (PGT) is currently recognized as an effective method to prevent scar formation or treat scar hyperplasia. Research on PGT remains controversial. These controversies indicate that PGT lacks reliable evidence of evidence-based medicine. Different studies on PGT need to be conducted under the same "gold standard" so that different studies can be compared. We consider this "gold standard" to be that the pressure remains stable within a confidence interval during treatment. We calibrated and verified the reference value of the sensor using a cuff of sphygmomanometer. A pressure-adjustable pressure system was obtained by installing a soft tissue expander on the pressure garment. Local pressure was adjusted by charging and releasing air. Subsequently, the flexible pressure sensor was placed on the upper arm of the healthy volunteers. We validated the compression system on healthy volunteers' forearms and AO standard prostheses (forearms). The reference value of the sensor was calibrated on Volunteer 1. Measuring repeated on Volunteers 2 and 3. The measurement was very reproducible. The test results in the experimental group showed that the local pressure gradually increased with the increase of the inflation of the airbag. However, the pressure at the opposite position of the forearm changed little. Real-time pressure monitoring and pressure adjustment enable the pressure to be maintained at a certain value. Our study provides a new idea for the production of elastic clothing with the function of pressure measurement and pressure regulation, which may promote the accuracy and reliability of PGT.