Run Ze Gao, Vivian Ngoc Tram Mai, Nicholas Levinski, Jacqueline Mary Kormylo, Robin Ward Murdock, Clark R. Dickerson, Carolyn L. Ren

A proof of concept of a novel air microfluidics-enabled soft robotic sleeve to enable lymphedema treatment is presented. Compression sleeves represent the current, suboptimal standard of care, and stationary pumps assist with lymph drainage; however, effective systems that are truly wearable while performing daily activities are very scarce. This problematic trade-off between performance and wearability requires a new solution, which is addressed by an innovative microfluidic device. Its novelty lies in the use of light, small, and inexpensive air microfluidic chips (35 × 20 × 5 mm3 in size) that bring three major advantages compared to their traditional counterparts. 

Published May 2023

Read more at: https://doi-org.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/10.1063/5.0079898