Biomimetic Compression Garment for Muscle Recovery

Athletes worldwide employ early and on-going compression therapy to greatly improve short-term recovery as well as long-term outcomes for those engaging in strenuous physical activity. Medically, applying targeted pressure through compression has been found to boost blood circulation and reduce inflammation, expediting healing.  A recent study further showed such therapy improves both perceptual and performance indices of exercise recovery.

Compression garments on the lower limbs are increasingly popular for those athletes who wish to improve performance, reduce exercise-induced discomfort, and reduce the risk of injury. These garments are a go-to for athletes seeking quicker recovery between training sessions. While multiple products exist to provide a muscle stimulation / recovery solution, they typically include complicated electrical systems that are expensive to manufacture and expensive for the at-home consumer.

Opportunity

Drs. Wu and Li have developed a biomimetic mechanical cell-pack system which has been shown to provide an effective and affordable solution for muscle recovery. Their biomimetic system does not require electical connection or support; it delivers controlled compression and resistance to the relevant muscle groups through their proprietary cell pack design. The cell pack design comprises a network of compartments containing the working fluid, which moves through the system via channels between cells. The movement of this fluid is analogous to the blood circulation in the cardiovascular system, modulating heart rate and dilation levels throughout the arterial tree, supplying the blood flow needs of specific muscle groups.

The novel cell pack technology may be integrated within wearable performance garments and incorporated into low-profile athletic garments. The device’s actuation requires no external power or integrated circuits; the cell pack exploits the fundamentals of fluid flow; simply moving one’s arm or any body part on which the device is worn will activate the device. The inventors foresee athletic recovery and repair as only the first of multiple therapy and recovery applications.

As a platform for several forms of athletic physical therapy garments, the cell pack system may be integrated with any state-of-the-art performance fabrics to create a wearable garment that can be worn virtually anywhere on the body. Possible products can be weighted to promote strength and conditioning applications and can incorporate elastic resistance for beneficial recovery stimulation, compression, and massage, automatically targeting the activated muscle.

The sports compression wear market was estimated to be valued at $1.27 billion USD in 2023 and is expected to grow to $2.95 billion by 2032 at a 10.1% compound annual growth rate.  The Villanova cell pack technology is an element within this market, providing a novel solution for athletic recovery.

Unique Attributes

• Water-based and ecofriendly process.
• Nondestructive process to both nano-/micromaterial and substrate.
• Enables any combinations of nano-/micromaterials and substrates species.
• Increases manufacturing efficiency and reduced manufacturing costs.
• Simplify the coating manufacturing process.
• Coating can be formed on flexible/ rigid, organic/ inorganic substrates.

Applications

Immediate commercial application for sports recovery garments. The technology is being further studied and developed for physical therapy applications for more advanced conditions, including stroke patient recovery.

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