Smart E-Pants

Electronic Underwear Preventing Bed Sores

Scientists have designed electric underpants that shock the bottom to help prevent bedsores for people who are immobilized. 

When a patient is stuck in the same position for too long, the skin compresses and blood circulation shuts down, leading to the formation of open wounds. Bedsores range from mild stage 1 lesions to life threatening, stage 4 ulcers that break the skin and eat through the muscle all the way down to the bone.

Developed by Canadian researcher Sean Dukelow, the smart e pants deliver a small electrical charge every ten minutes. The effect is the same as if the patient was moving on their own. It activates muscles and increases circulation in that area, and effectively eliminates bed sores, thereby saving lives.

Besides people with paralysis, the elderly are also at high risk for developing bedsores. Roughly 60,000 people die from bed sores and resulting infections every year, draining $12 billion from the U.S. medical industry.The pants are expected to cost about $200 for the main equipment and under $100 for the electrodes, according to The Guardian.