Lymphia

What it does

Manual Lymphatic Drainage prevents lymphoedema, which breast cancer surgery patients are at great risk of. Lymphia teaches patients MLD on themselves, using a pressure sensor and feedback, so they don't have to rely on physiotherapists for treatment.

Your inspiration

I underwent invasive breast reduction surgery before my final year, and had a difficult time recovering, because I wasn't able to attend my lymphatic drainage appointments. I experienced swelling, haematomas and trouble healing. Once I returned home and attended MLD with a physiotherapist, my symptoms alleviated drastically, and I realised how little people know about the effectiveness, techniques, and benefits of lymphatic drainage. My best friend also motivated my project, as she suffers from lipoedema and lymphoedema in the legs, for which the only treatment she can do is lymphatic drainage, because liposuction is expensive and dangerous.

How it works

Lymphia measures the pressure applied by the user, as lymphatic drainage requires a specific range in order to be effective (circa 40-80 grams per centimetre squared). The user positions Lymphia on the affected area, and moves the device in a gliding motion. The rolling balls push against the integrated pressure sensor, and a coloured LED on the device indicates wether the user is using too little, too much, or the perfect amount of force, using yellow, red and green. Lymphia connects to an app that indicates the correct pressure needed to stimulate lymphatic flow, and shows techniques & tutorials specific to the user and their ailment area. The closely placed steel spheres imitate a flat hand, glide seamlessly across the skin and are coolable, as cryotherapy enhances lymphatic flow. Lymphia increases compliance and reduces stigma surrounding lymphoedema by being handheld, portable, easy to use and aesthetic.

Design process

To create a product that the user can use to massage their lymphatic vessels, that will feel good, and teach them how much force to apply, copious prototyping was needed. I tested the feeling of various materials on myself and others, including vacuum formed plastic, ball bearings screwed into a piece of foam, pins stuck into cardboard to mimic steel balls, and dented pieces of sheet metal. The coolness and weight of the metal balls was the most effective. I CAD designed and 3D printed Lymphia as a modular product, made of 9 components. A base to hold the balls, the balls, a holding ring, a lid, an electronics case, the electronics, a spring, and a handle. During my prototyping I tested a range of steel ball sizes from 6mm to 12mm, designing holders for each and trying them out. Ultimately, I chose a 10mm size, big enough for the user to feel individually but small enough to stimulate individual lymphatic vessels. Prototyping the electronics involved an calibrating the force sensitive resistor to measure the force the user is applying, using a spring inside the shell that pushes against the FSR, which sends a message to the LED in the circuit, to light up yellow, green or red. I used weighable items on the FSR corresponding to the ideal force of MLD, converted from 30-60mmHg.

How it is different

Lymphia is unique because there isn't anything like it on the market. The women I spoke to expressed helplessness when it came to their condition, they had only been told to wear compression sleeves, which none of them wanted to wear, and prescribed lymphatic drainage therapy is rare. Lymphia restores their confidence in themselves and their ability to help prevent permanent lymphoedema after BC treatment by teaching lymphatic drainage, with accurate movements and pressure. Lymphia is handheld, portable, comfortable to use, and easy to understand. The rolling balls ease application by reducing friction and the coloured LED provides real-time feedback. It's design aesthetic makes it attractive to users, enhancing compliance, which is incredibly important for prevention. The metal balls are coolable, a product aspect unique to Lymphia. Lymphia & app teach patients professional MLD technique, a practice shrouded in misinformation, which similar products do not do.

Future plans

I want to bring Lymphia to market, by developing and redesigning it for mass production, and by applying for a patent for the design through a company or with entrepreneurship funding, and building a start-up. I believe my design will help women affected by breast cancer, and people affected by lymphoedema, swelling, and water retention. Lymphatic drainage is a technique intensive practice with incredible benefits for the immune system and body function, and I believe teaching it to people can drastically improve their quality of life. I would like to have played a part in helping patients recover and regaining bodily autonomy.

Awards

I was awarded the HSE Spark medical design scholarship during my prototyping phase, which funded the development of Lymphia. At the Maynooth University degree exhibition for Product Design, Lymphia won Best Project of the Year.