Innovation that could help sufferers of Raynaud's Phenomenon

Mar 31 2004

A student will display his "smart gloves" as part of the University of Dundee's annual exhibition of honours and research projects for students of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Physics and Mechanical Engineering on Wednesday 31st March.

22 year old Iain Murray from the Division of Mechanical Engineering has developed self heating gloves to aid sufferers of Raynaud's Phenomenon which affects 10 million people in the UK. This is a condition in which the blood supply to the extremities, usually the fingers and toes becomes interrupted during sudden changes in temperature resulting in considerable pain for the sufferer. Unlike other devices available for patients with this condition, Iain's design is much less cumbersome using micro-engineering techniques to integrate the electronics and power supply into the glove itself.

These self heating gloves termed "smart" gloves, use miniature sensors to constantly monitor and regulate the temperature of the gloves and compensate for any sudden environmental change. This makes them both comfortable for the user and prevents the onset of Raynaud's Phenomenon.