A Taxonomy of Pressure Sensors for Compression Garment Development

TL;DR

This paper introduces a taxonomy for pressure sensors to guide their use in compression garment development, focusing on static loading applications.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel taxonomy for pressure sensors tailored to static loading applications in compression garment design.

Findings

A literature-based taxonomy is developed to classify pressure sensors based on functionality and design characteristics.

The taxonomy is applied to map sensors onto compression garment development phases, aligning application needs with sensor performance.

The taxonomy provides a roadmap for future sensor development in compression garment innovation.

Abstract

Recent pressure sensor research often focuses on developing sensors for impulse applications, including touch sensors, e-skin development, or physiological monitoring. However, static loading applications, such as those needed for compression garment design, are significantly under-researched in comparison. Many technology solutions do not translate across applications, as static loading requires measurements which have high accuracy, high precision, and low drift. To address the gap in sensor development between impulse and static applications, we define a literature-based taxonomy providing two conceptual classifications based on sensor functionality and specific design characteristics. The taxonomy’s utility is demonstrated through the mapping of sensors onto compression garment development phases by matching application requirements with sensor performance. The taxonomy developed will advance research and the industry by providing a roadmap of how sensor characteristics influence performance to drive a focused development for future sensors, specifically for compression garment innovation.

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