New empirical formula for reduction factor of head garment

Abstract

Pressure garment is one of non-surgical method in pressure therapy treatment, which uses pressure as healing mechanism for hypertrophic scars caused from burn injuries. Previous studies proposed a fabrication method based on the modified Laplace`s Law to predict pressure outputs. From the Laplace`s Law, reduction factor is calculated using parameters of modulus elasticity of the fabric, body circumferences, and the targeted pressure. However, most of the previous studies conducted based on lower and upper limbs body parts (arms and legs) which consist more like cylindrical shapes with limited studies conducted for head segment. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of current methods used for pressure therapy treatment at facial area. Based on investigation and analysis from the current methods in terms of pressure performances, a new fabrication method of head garment is introduced which capable to produce optimum pressure needed for the treatment. This study uses digital design approaches such as 3D scanning, computer aided design and additive manufacturing in design and development phases. Based on the previous reduction factor equation from literature, the produced head garment was tight and not suitable for the treatment. Hence, a new head garment fabrication method is proposed based on empirical approach to determine the reduction factor at particular circumferences of the body parts.