Deep Vein Thrombosis Massage Cuff

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a silent yet life-threatening condition caused by blood clots forming in deep veins, often due to prolonged immobility. Traditional compression therapy solutions are bulky, passive, or require manual adjustment, leaving at-risk individuals vulnerable.

The Deep Vein Thrombosis Massage Cuff offers an adaptive, patient-controlled solution. Integrated into a compression sock, this discreet cuff dynamically inflates and deflates based on real-time assessment—putting control directly in the patient's hands. With the press of a button, users can select from two compression modes, activating a compact air pump to optimize circulation. This innovation promotes timely intervention, improved blood flow, and greater patient autonomy, reducing the risk of clot formation while seamlessly fitting into daily life.

Please view the project at https://www.canva.com/design/DAGg0bGoWho/eaXy_2b20HgV2dXptxR6bQ/watch?utm_content=DAGg0bGoWho&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hc25614796c

Credits for the facility, idea, and allowing this project to come to fruition to Professor Katia Vega, TA Niddhi Mittal, and the Well Grant. Project created for student's final submission for UC Davis Design class (DES178).

Electronic Components:

1. Circuit Playground Bluefruit
2. 4 x AA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch
3. MOSFET STEMMA Board

Mechanical Components:

1. Air Pump and Vacuum DC Motor - 4.5 V and 2.5 LPM - ZR370-02PM
2. Tubing
3. Plastic Bag

Assembly and Wiring Components:

1. Alligator Clips (4)
2. Wires
3. Soldering Iron, Solder, and Workstation
4. Duct or Painter’s Tape

(Optional) External Housing:

1. Cardboard
2. Laser Cutting with Acrylic Material
3. 3D Printing with PLA/ABS filament

Take a garbage bag and cut along one side to fully unfold it. The length will be based on the circumference of the part of the patient's leg that the band of the sock reaches.

Tape one of the cut sides securely using duct or painter’s tape

Fold the bag back in half and tape along the opposite side to create a sealed pocket

Insert one open end into the other, creating a ring-like structure. Invert the bag and tightly tape the entire edge to ensure an airtight seal.

Cut a small hole in the plastic bag. Insert the tubing through the hole and secure it with tape, ensuring no air escapes.

Inflate: Activate the air pump and observe expansion.

Deflate: Release the air and check for proper contraction.

On Wrist/Hand Test: Ensure that only the plastic bag side inflates while the outer layer remains stable.

The code attached correlates as follows:

Pressing Button A on the CP Bluefruit provides instant relief, where the cuff inflates for 10 seconds and holds for another 10 seconds before rapidly deflating the cuff to release pressure

Pressing Button B activates a massage mode, rhythmically inflating for 10 seconds, holding for 20 seconds, and deflating the cuff to promote circulation. This cycle of massage mode will work for 2 minutes in total.

The built-in LED indicators provide real-time feedback:

1. Orange – Idle state
2. Green – Air pumping (inflation)
3. Purple – Maintaining pressure

Circuit Playground BlueFruit:

CPB Pin A5 ↔ MOSFET “IN” ↔

CPB GND ↔ Breadboard GND (Common GND established)

MOSFET:

MOSFET “OUT” ↔ Pump +

MOSFET “IN” ↔ Pin A5

MOSFET “V+” ↔ Breadboard Supply (Common + established)

MOSFET “GND” ↔ Breadboard GND (Common GND established)

Battery Pack

Battery + ↔ Breadboard Supply (Common + established)

Battery - ↔ Breadboard GND (Common GND established)

Pump and Vacuum:

Pump + ↔ MOSFET “OUT”

Pump - ↔ Breadboard GND (Common GND established)

Using the CAD model below that incorporates the Battery Pack and the Air Pump Motor together, attach a small breadboard and the MOSFET driver. The front piece will hold the Circuit Playground Bluefruit and its specific battery (3.7 V).

Additionally, you can instead use the other attached file (box.dfxf) for the laser cutting template, which should snuggly secure the box. It has cut-outs for the hole in the side for the air pump and no top to access the buttons on the Bluefruit easily.

If this amount of material is too bulky for the side clip, consider using a storage container or box! This is completely still accessible for the patient as long as the buttons are on display and the pump still works as directed without any kinks in the tubing.