Using a Wearable Pressure Sensor to evaluate leg compression:  Two dressing types

Introduction: It is usually unclear exactly how much pressure a dressing applies to the leg, and if that pressure is uniform. The goal of this study was to compare two compression dressing types in terms of pressure they are applying from toe to knee.  Methods:We compared:  1) a 4-inch-wide long-stretch 2-layer compression wrap (abbreviation 2LR)^, and a dual component dressing with geometric figures (abbreviation: GEO)*.  This study was caried out by staff at a hospital-based wound and hyperbaric center in Northeast US.  Participants were staff:  Four wrappers (i.e., 4 staff members; 3 of which also served as “leg models”).  Staff have been employing 2LR dressings for >1 year.  The GEO dressing was new to the practice.  We employed a Wearable Pressure Sensor (WPS), which includes a long thin sensor which connects via Bluetooth to an iPhone.  The iPhone displays pressure numerically and graphically (Reference 1).  We used two sensor units, one on the ankle between the Achilles and medial malleolus, the second on the midleg.  Pressures were simultaneously displayed on the iPhone.  Calibration.  For each WPS used, the accuracy of pressure exceeded +/- 15% relative to a gold standard (References 2,3)#.Results:For the GEO dressing, the proximal (leg) and distal (ankle) pressures are similar.   (Leg:  39 +/-7; ankle 34 +/-5 mm Hg; mean +/-SD; two-tailed t-test:  NS).  For the 2LR dressing, pressure at the leg was significantly higher at the leg.  (Leg: 43 +/-13; ankle:  24 +/-8; p25 cm ankle circumference) on small staff ankles (50% overlap.  At the time of this study, small GEO dressings were not available at the clinic.  The Wearable Pressure Sensor holds promise as a tool to evaluate compression dressings.   Partially because of this study, we were able to get the GEO dressing on formulary.  References:1. https://Wear-sense.com; Wear-Sense, LLC. Goldman, RG, 2. Bucas, G, Mohler, J, Boyer J: Fabrication and calibration of a wearable pressure sensor”; Abstract submitted to SAWC, Fall, 2024. 3. Chassagne F, Molimard J, Convert R, Giraux P, Badel P. Numerical Approach for the Assessment of Pressure Generated by Elastic Compression Bandage. Ann Biomed Eng.