Influence of linear density of elastic inlay yarn on pressure generation on human body

Pressure garments are used to heal different medical conditions such as hypertrophic scars, venous problems and orthopaedic disorders. The requirement of therapeutic pressure for different applications is different. So there is a need for engineering pressure garments according to the requirement. Pressure garments are made from elastic knitted fabric. The principle of pressure generation depicts that the tensile property of the elastic knitted fabric is an important factor which can be regulated by varying the property of elastic inlay yarn used in the fabric. Little information is available in this aspect. In the present study, elastic knitted fabric tubes were prepared by varying the linear density of the elastic inlay yarn. Pressure exerted by the fabric tubes was studied on 10 male and 10 female upper arm of left hands. The pressure generation behaviour was then compared in between male and female subjects. The results were also compared with pressure development on rigid body. Results showed that tensile property of elastic knitted fabric can be regulated by varying the linear density of elastic inlay yarn. Pressure exerted by the fabric tubes can be regulated by changing the linear density of elastic inlay yarn. Pressure generation was always higher on rigid body than human body.