Making Sense, Part D

By “give more shape to…a disordered product landscape” I mean look for ways to group and classify the on-body devices I've been referencing since Making Sense, Part A. 

Here’s a listing of said devices: 

1. Benik vest 
2. elastic therapeutic tape 
3. TheraSuit (a.k.a., PediaSuit and NeuroSuit)
4. compression sportswear 
5. SPIO (Stabilizing Pressure Input Orthosis)
6. TheraTogs
7. wearable robot 

What are these things? Can we make broad generalizations about their forms and functions?

One of the first things to jump out at me is the fact that these are orthoses, devices designed to “support or correct the function of a limb or the torso.” All but one of 'em, that is. The wearable robot, as conceived by Miguel Nicolelis, has orthotic properties but it's more of a neuroprosthetic device. I’m going to de-list it now for that reason.

Let’s focus, then, on the first six devices -- starting with their forms, i.e., their physical characteristics, and looking for common threads.

Threads.
Hmm...
Fabrics.

These are technical textiles. Maybe homing in on their MATERIAL makeup could help us make sense? Here are some key words and phrases associated with each: 

1. Benik vest: vented neoprene; Terry lined; thermoplastic or aluminum panels 
2. elastic therapeutic tape: cotton strip with adhesive back 
3. Therasuit: breathable; soft; dynamic; hooks and elastic connectors 
4. compression sportswear: form-fitting; made from spandex 
5. SPIO (Stabilizing Pressure Input Orthosis): Lycra; dynamic and multidirectional stretch 
6. TheraTogs: inner foam layer; Velcro sensitive outer layer for affixing elastic strapping

Generalizing: We’re talking about things that are breathable, that have elastic--stretchy--rebound--compression--characteristics, and that, in a couple of cases, have the capacity to have other stretchy things attached to them. 

What about SIZES and SHAPES? Over which areas are they applied?  

1. Benik vest: whole trunk/ torso 
2. elastic therapeutic tape : supplied in rolls and can be applied practically anywhere
3. Therasuit: can cover whole body if all components (e.g., optional arm attachments) are used 
4. compression sportswear: shorts, tights, t-shirts, socks, sleeves and /or underwear 
5. SPIO (Stabilizing Pressure Input Orthosis): up to full-body coverage
6. TheraTogs: also up to full-body coverage

I made an earlier connection between these devices and a pair of hands. Hands have their own material and size-and-shape properties. The fact, for example, that I used to be able to safely align my daughter’s trunk using both hands -- but now that she's twice as tall, I can't -- is a SIZE thing. The fact that my hands can make subtle, real-time adjustments relative to her place in space is a more of a MATERIAL thing.

What am I getting at? Orthotic devices are like hands, but they're different. They’re different than things we call "clothes". They’re different than body casts. They're different than tattoos and other stuff with which we adorn ourselves.

Form follows function. 

Trying to make sense of the functions these forms serve will be the subject of the next post.