Textile Pneumatic Actuators for Wearable Mechanotherapy in Breast Cancer Survivorship

This research focuses on early-stage textile actuator development for actuators which mimic four different massage motions, intended for post-surgical wearables for breast cancer survivors. To develop these actuators, this research derived target parameters from mechanotherapy literature and varied fabric and geometry to fabricate multiple textile actuators for each massage motion. Designs were tested on a custom accessible testing rig consisting of garment constraints, force sensor arrays, and camera vision motion tracking. All four actuators performed motions consistent with necessary motion parameters, but require further optimization for force reliability. Out of these actuators, the tapotement actuator output most reliable force of 4.13N with 0.29N deviation, all within optimal target range. Overall this research derives initial target parameters, develops an accessible testing rig, and contributes preliminary actuator designs, intended for post-surgical wearables for breast cancer survivorship.