Capstone students work with Wearable Therapeutics Inc. to incorporate wireless controls in the Snug Vest
We all know from experience how important a hug can be. There is mounting evidence from healthcare professionals that deep pressure therapy, applying surface pressure to the body similar to a hug or swaddling, can be beneficial to people with conditions known as tactile processing disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficient hyperactivity disorder. Providing pressure to the body can relieve feelings of anxiety by reducing cortisol and adrenalin and help improve attention and feelings of well-being.
Wearable Therapeutics has developed the Snug Vest; the discrete garment pictured above inflates to provide deep pressure to the torso. Andrew Baumen, Danil Khomendo, Janice Zhang, Allen Zhou and Dean Kalla, an ECE Capstone team, are working with the company to introduce wireless controls to the inflation of the vest using a smartphone interface. Through an Android app, wirelessly connected to electronics and pumps, the vest can quickly adjust pressure. Refining control of the vest and varying the level of inflation can help prevent the body getting used to the pressure through habituation and increase the therapeutic value of the treatment.
The Andrew, Danil, Janice, Allen and Dean are eager to see their wireless version of the vest in use.
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Snug Vest