• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.389-397
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• 2006

The beneficial effects of graduated compression stockings (GCS) in prophylaxis and treatment of venous disorders of human lower extremity have been recognized. However, their pressure functional performances are variable and unstable in practical applications, and the exact mechanisms of action remain controversial. Direct surface pressure measurements and indirect material properties testing are not enough for fully understanding the interaction between stocking and leg. A three dimensional (3D) biomechanical mathematical model for numerically simulating the interaction between leg and GCS in dynamic wear was developed based on the actual geometry of the female leg obtained from 3D reconstruction of MR images and the real size and mechanical properties of the compression stocking prototype. The biomechanical solid leg model consists of bones and soft tissues, and an orthotropic shell model is built for the stocking hose. The dynamic putting-on process is simulated by defining the contact of finite relative sliding between the two objects. The surface pressure magnitude and distribution along the different height levels of the leg and stress profiles of stockings were simulated. As well, their dynamic alterations with time processing were quantitatively analyzed. Through validation, the simulated results showed a reasonable agreement with the experimental measurements, and the simulated pressure gradient distribution from the ankle to the thigh (100:67:30) accorded with the advised criterion by the European committee for standardization. The developed model can be used to predict and visualize the dynamic pressure and stress performances exerted by compression stocking in wear, and to optimize the material mechanical properties in stocking design, thus, helping us understand mechanisms of compression action and improving medical functions of GCS.

• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.322-331
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• 2005

Graduated compression stockings (GCS) have been widely used for the prophylaxis and treatment of venous diseases. Their gradient pressure function largely related to their fabric structure and material properties. By combing fabric physical testing and wear trials, this study investigated the GCSs fabric structure and material properties at different locations along the stocking hoses, and quantitatively analyzed the effects of fabrics on skin pressure longitudinal and transverse distributions. We concluded that, Structural characteristics and material properties of stocking fabrics were not uniform along the hoses, but a gradual variation from ankle to thigh regions, which significantly influenced the corresponding skin pressure gradient distributions; Tensile (WT, EM) and shearing properties (G) generated most significant differences among ankle, knee and thigh regions along the stocking hose, which significantly influenced the skin pressure lognitudinal gradient distribution. More material indices generating significant gradual changes occurred in the fabric wale direction along stocking hose, meaning that materials properties in wale direction would exert more important impact on the skin pressure gradient performances. And, the greater tensibility and smoother surface of fabric in wale direction would contribute to put stocking on and off, and facilitate wearers' leg extension-flexion movements. The indices of WT and EM of stocking fabrics in series A have strong linear correlations with skin pressure lognitudinal distribution, which largely related to their better performances in gradual changes of material properties. Skin pressure applied by fabric with same material properties produced pronounced differences among four different directions around certain cross-sections of human leg, especially at the ankle region; and, the skin pressure magnitudes at ankle region were more easily influenced by the materials properties, which were considered to be largely related to the anatomic structure of human leg.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.488-496
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• 2019

This study investigated if the proper pressure level on the wrist tendon area and muscle area of the lower arm are within the same range by examining the responses of blood flow and subjective evaluation. Subjects consisted of 18 males in their 20s, and the experimental bands were custom-made by applying size measurements of each subject. In the experiment, a total of 5 steps were selected by reducing 10 (Step 1) to 50 (Step 5)% from the original body size in the circumferential direction. Blood flow was measured with a sensor attached to the tip of the finger inside the right hand while sitting in a chair for 15 minutes. Blood velocity began to increase (0.82 kPa) when the wrist circumference around tendon area was reduced by 20% (Step 2) and reached its maximum (1.72 kPa) at Step 4. However, the preferred subjective pressure was 1.36 kPa, which was less than the maximum pressure value of 1.72 kPa for Step 4. Blood velocity began to increase when pressure on the muscle area was 1.38 kPa and reached its maximum at 2.16 kPa; however, the most preferred clothing pressure was 1.71 kPa. The results of this study showed that the appropriate pressure level was higher in the muscle area than in the wrist tendon of the lower arm and indicated that graduated compression is favorable.