ComFyt · Project

Smart Compression Stockings That Actively Massage Legs to Treat Vein Disease

healthPilotedTRL 7

Imagine a stocking that gently squeezes your leg the way your calf muscles do when you walk — except it does it automatically, all day long. The secret is a special plastic film that expands and contracts when you apply a tiny electric current, like an artificial muscle sewn right into the fabric. It's designed for people with poor blood circulation — think swollen ankles, varicose veins, or dangerous blood clots — who currently have to wear tight, uncomfortable compression socks that most people hate and stop using. This Israeli startup built a wearable that replaces passive squeezing with active, rhythmic massage to keep blood flowing.

By the numbers

10 million

People suffering from DVT worldwide annually

100

Units in first production batch

Partner in consortium (single SME)

The business problem

What needed solving

Millions of people with venous diseases like DVT, edema, and varicose veins need compression therapy, but existing solutions have terrible compliance rates. Traditional compression stockings are uncomfortable and hard to put on, while pneumatic devices are bulky and restrict movement. Patients simply stop using them, putting their health at serious risk.

The solution

What was built

ELASTIMED built a smart compression stocking using proprietary electroactive polymer actuators that expand and contract when electrically stimulated, mimicking natural calf muscle contractions. They produced a first batch of 100 units, moving from prototype to small-scale production.

Audience

Who needs this

Medical device distributors looking for next-generation compression therapy productsElderly care facility operators managing residents with circulation problemsSports medicine clinics and athletic recovery equipment suppliersOrthopedic and vascular surgery clinics seeking post-operative DVT prevention toolsHome healthcare companies supplying wearable therapeutic devices

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Medical device distribution

mid-size

Target: Medical device distributors and home healthcare suppliers

If you are a medical device distributor looking for differentiated products in the compression therapy market — this project developed a smart stocking using electroactive polymer actuators that actively massages the leg. With approximately 10 million DVT cases per year worldwide, you'd be offering a product that solves the biggest problem in compression therapy: patients stop wearing traditional stockings because they're uncomfortable.

Elderly care and assisted living

enterprise

Target: Operators of elderly care homes and assisted living facilities

If you run care facilities where residents suffer from poor circulation, edema, or post-surgical DVT risk — this project built a wearable device that mimics calf muscle contractions automatically. It eliminates the need for staff to manually apply and monitor traditional compression bandages. The smart stocking works throughout the day without requiring the wearer to exercise or move.

Sports medicine and recovery

SME

Target: Sports recovery equipment manufacturers and athletic training centers

If you manufacture or sell sports recovery devices and deal with athletes suffering from circulation-related injuries — this project created a lightweight, flexible stocking with built-in electroactive polymer actuators. Unlike bulky pneumatic compression boots used in clinics, this device can be worn during daily activities, opening up a continuous-wear recovery market for sports injuries and post-exercise recovery.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would a smart stocking like this cost compared to traditional compression therapy?

The project data does not include specific pricing. However, the first production batch was 100 units, suggesting an early-stage product with premium positioning. Traditional compression stockings cost €20-80, while active pneumatic devices cost €500-2,000 — this product likely targets somewhere in between.

Can this be manufactured at industrial scale?

The project produced a first batch of 100 units, demonstrating that manufacturing is feasible beyond one-off prototypes. The core challenge is integrating electroactive polymer film actuators into textile production at scale. Based on available project data, the technology is at small-batch production stage with a clear path to larger volumes.

What is the IP situation and can I license this technology?

ELASTIMED LTD holds proprietary technology for maintaining electroactive polymers in a pre-stretch state and manipulating them into thin linear actuators. This is a single-company project with 100% industry ownership, meaning licensing discussions would be directly with ELASTIMED. The IP covers both the material method and integration into wearable devices.

Is this approved for medical use?

Based on available project data, regulatory approval status is not mentioned. As a medical device making therapeutic claims about treating venous disease and DVT, it would require CE marking in Europe and FDA clearance in the US. The project ran through mid-2020, so regulatory processes may still be ongoing.

How does this compare to existing pneumatic compression devices?

Current pneumatic compression devices are bulky, require being stationary, and are used mainly in clinical settings. ComFyt uses thin electroactive polymer actuators integrated into a stocking form factor that can be worn throughout the day everywhere. This addresses the core compliance problem — patients abandoning treatment because current devices are uncomfortable.

What is the market size for this kind of product?

The project objective states approximately 10 million people suffer from DVT worldwide every year. Beyond DVT, the target conditions include edema, varicose veins, lymphedema, and sports injuries. Based on available project data, venous disease affects a very large patient population with poor compliance to existing treatments.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a solo venture — ELASTIMED LTD from Israel is the only partner, and it's a private SME. There are no universities or research institutes in the consortium, which means all IP sits with one company. For a business buyer, this simplifies negotiations enormously: one point of contact, one decision-maker, no academic co-owners to complicate licensing. The downside is that without academic partners, independent validation of the technology claims relies on the company's own testing. The 100% industry composition and SME Instrument Phase 2 funding signal strong commercial intent.

ELASTIMED LTDCoordinator · IL

How to reach the team

ELASTIMED LTD is based in Israel. Contact their business development team through elastimed.com for licensing or distribution inquiries.

Order a report on this consortium See ELASTIMED LTD profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the ELASTIMED team? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting to discuss distribution, licensing, or technology integration opportunities.

Order a report on this topic More in Health & Biomedical