Venous thrombosis is a significant health threat, affecting about 300,000 to 600,000 Americans each year. According to the American Heart Association, venous thrombosis (VTE) is the third most common vascular diagnosis after heart attacks and strokes. VTE occurs when the blood flow slows or changes. Altered blood flow is associated with surgery, cancer, immobilization and hospitalization. Hormonal changes in women can also affect blood circulation.
British Firm FirstKind Ltd.’s neuromuscular electro-stimulation wearable Geko is used to increase lower leg circulation and for post-surgical stimulation of calf muscles to prevent VTE. Geko is worn just below the knee with the stimulation head placed over the peroneal nerve, to cause calf and foot muscle pumps. The muscle action increases venous, arterial, and microcirculatory blood flow. According to FirstKind, blood flow increases up to 60%, as much as achieved by walking. Geko causes the blood flow without the wearer having to move.
Geko is a medical device and can only be sold on the order of a licensed healthcare practitioner. FirstKind also has developed a neuromuscular electro-stimulation wearable for athletes. Firefly is a muscular performance enhancer for elite athletes and professional teams used to improve performance and to accelerate recovery after high-intensity exercise. Firefly and Geko are sold in the U.S. by Athletic Recovery and Performance.
