Therapy Sleeve
Wearable Device Designing for Accessibility
Spring 2022
Designing a sleeve to assist in therapy for pain associated with muscle spasticity. The wearable device carefully considers the possibility of limited mobility, the user, and the functionality of the device.
Relieving Spastic Muscles
Spasticity is abnormal muscle tightness due to prolonged muscle contraction. It is a symptom associated with damage to the brain, spinal cord or motor nerves, and is seen in individuals with neurological conditions.
Clumsy Devices with Wires
TENS devices can be hard to set up and can inconvenience users with wires and pads. Mobility may also be an issue with set up.
Inspiration
Low Budget Testing
Rappid testing of ergonomics, affordances, and materials. Three materials with varying amounts of stretch were used to understand user’s needs for both rigidity and compression.
Exploring Variations of Test Discoveries
Exploring ways to include the various solutions discovered from tests. Sketching to find balanced forms that include discoveries and affordances that guide user through applying and using the device.
Solution For Accessible Wearable
Easy On Zipper
Zippers are used to allow for the minimal amount of material to be pulled over a potentially immobile arm.
Easy Off Tabs
Pull tabs are placed at natural grabbing points to aid with taking off the device. These tabs are sewn onto a contrasting material to pull at a larger surface area than with the tab alone.
