Targeted Electro-Therapy for Arthritis Pain
An undergarment for people affected by arthritis that reduces joint pain and stiffness, prevents muscle atrophy and integrates seamlessly into one's daily life.
The garment has electrotherapy-delivering electrodes strategically embedded and an easy-to-don design that wraps around legs for users who struggle with balance and dexterity.
Amble
Every other person over the age of 65 suffers from arthritis. Amble is meant to help arthritic individuals reduce their pain and maintain their mobility.
Amble incorporates two forms of electrotherapy to quell joint issues and strengthen muscles:
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), which is administered around the joints, and works by blocking pain impulses from reaching the brain, increasing local blood circulation and triggering endorphins. TENS is already used by those managing chronic pain, including arthritis patients, but typically placement of electrodes is done by a professional aid and therapy requires stationary use.
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), which is administered at key muscles (with a different electrical pulse width and set of frequencies), strengthens muscles by stimulating contraction and activating more muscle fibers than normal movement. EMS is narrowly used by athletes and in therapy for paraplegic patients - its benefits are not widely spread outside of these communities.
Amble combines these effective technologies in a seamless manner with predetermined electrode placement – eliminating hassles of self-placement of electrodes in hard to reach locations and restrictive wires. The wearable is also accessible to users with limited stability, movement and dexterity – wrapping around the legs using grab loops and velcro.
Selected for the Harvard iLab Spring Venture Incubation Program for the President’s Innovation Challenge.