Abstract
This study discussed the design of functional clothing for patients who suffer from spinal cord injury-induced lower-limb disabilities caused by car accidents or illness. Recycled fibers were used as the basic material, and digital printing technology used to create different color combinations. Ready-made clothes in Taiwan are not suitable for with physical disable patients or those with urine drainage bags. The fabric is not antibacterial, and the designs are dull. The study surveyed physicians and patients in order to gain an indepth understanding of patients’ actual needs. This study included four parts: 1) questionnaire survey and interviews with four physical therapists, on-site observation on the lifestyles of eight patients with lower-limb injuries, in order to summarize the design elements of adaptive apparel and to design four types of pants; 2) antibacterial fabric made of recycled fibers was used to reduce the possibility of bacterial infection; 3) digital printing system was used to design individualized apparel; 4) different fillings and a pressure measurement system used to measure the amount of pressure in pressure-free pants to ensure their effectiveness and to improve comfort. This study reached three conclusions. First, the assessment and design of disposable medical and adaptive apparel were characterized by the following three features: 1) comfort and convenience are important factors affecting patients’ intention to use such apparel; 2) the patients showed a high level of acceptance for disposable recycled fabrics; 3) the provision of individualized style and color combinations could significantly increase patients’ satisfaction. Second, the design functions for patients of different ages could be used to establish complete individualized design samples. Third, the use of recyclable materials and color combinations should be subject to the characteristics of the materials and patients’ preferences, to ensure the function and design quality and to increase patients’ physical comfort and psychological satisfaction.
Keywords
functional apparel design, recycled fiber, patients with lower-limb injuries
Citation
Fu, L., Ching, I., and Shing, S. (2012) Assessment and Design of Disposable Medical and Adaptive Apparel, in Israsena, P., Tangsantikul, J. and Durling, D. (eds.), Research: Uncertainty Contradiction Value - DRS International Conference 2012, 1-4 July, Bangkok, Thailand. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2012/researchpapers/17
Assessment and Design of Disposable Medical and Adaptive Apparel
This study discussed the design of functional clothing for patients who suffer from spinal cord injury-induced lower-limb disabilities caused by car accidents or illness. Recycled fibers were used as the basic material, and digital printing technology used to create different color combinations. Ready-made clothes in Taiwan are not suitable for with physical disable patients or those with urine drainage bags. The fabric is not antibacterial, and the designs are dull. The study surveyed physicians and patients in order to gain an indepth understanding of patients’ actual needs. This study included four parts: 1) questionnaire survey and interviews with four physical therapists, on-site observation on the lifestyles of eight patients with lower-limb injuries, in order to summarize the design elements of adaptive apparel and to design four types of pants; 2) antibacterial fabric made of recycled fibers was used to reduce the possibility of bacterial infection; 3) digital printing system was used to design individualized apparel; 4) different fillings and a pressure measurement system used to measure the amount of pressure in pressure-free pants to ensure their effectiveness and to improve comfort. This study reached three conclusions. First, the assessment and design of disposable medical and adaptive apparel were characterized by the following three features: 1) comfort and convenience are important factors affecting patients’ intention to use such apparel; 2) the patients showed a high level of acceptance for disposable recycled fabrics; 3) the provision of individualized style and color combinations could significantly increase patients’ satisfaction. Second, the design functions for patients of different ages could be used to establish complete individualized design samples. Third, the use of recyclable materials and color combinations should be subject to the characteristics of the materials and patients’ preferences, to ensure the function and design quality and to increase patients’ physical comfort and psychological satisfaction.