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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

SMART SLEEVE

Students working on the Smart Sleeve device

A novel, non-electric device to enhance conditioning and recovery.

The Smart Sleeve is designed to augment training in all forms, from strength and conditioning to recovery and physical therapy. The device is fully wireless and is instead powered by the wearer’s limb motion to deliver targeted compression and stimulation via a fluid-filled cell-pack network. The idea is to deliver all the benefits of a physical therapy session with the convenience of a weighted smart sleeve system. The first generation of the smart sleeve system was designed to help stroke survivors regain use of their affected left arms, using targeted compression to accelerate muscle and nerve recovery. Because the system is both low-profile and wireless, it can be worn in nearly any setting, thus delivering continuous stimulation.

The true innovation behind the smart sleeve is its cell-pack platform, modeled after the human circulatory system. The self-driven mechanism uses the body’s own muscle contractions as its input signal, serving as the driving force to build up pressure propagation along the area requiring treatment. Powered solely by muscle contractions, the Smart Sleeve requires no external energy input.

 

RESEARCHERS

Principal Investigators
Qianhong Wu, PhD
Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Bo Li, PhD
Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Partner
Tim McCorry, CEO, Square Root Brands


 

PROJECT DETAILS

  • The cell-pack platform technology has broad applications in rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, as well as for stroke survivors in recovery. 

  • The team envisions the creation of “full body” smart suits that can deliver precise and targeted stimulation to select muscle groups via the power of human movement. 

 

Status of Patent Application and Licensing

  1. Wu, Q., Li, B., Sidnawi, B. Li, Y. and Wang, Q., Wearable Garment for Muscle Stimulation. U.S. Patent 063680/0231, May 16, 2023 (non-provisional patent filed)
  2. Exclusive license to Square Root Brands

Grant funding 

  1. Wu, Q. (PI), Li, B. (Co-PI), Manufacturing PA Innovation Program, 2022-2024, $70, 000 “A Novel Wearable Physical Therapy System”.

  2. Wu, Q. (PI), Li, B. (co-PI), Square Root Brands, 2021-2022, $79,746, "A Novel Wearable Physical Therapy System"

 

Project Leads

Qianhong Wu, PhD

Qianhong Wu, PhD
Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Director, Cellular Biomechanics & Sports Science Laboratory | Email

Bo Li, PhD

Bo Li, PhD
Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering | Email

FEATURED PROJECTS