What is lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a condition that afflicts more than 250,000 people in the United States. Breast cancer patients generally have either mastectomy or lumpectomy with radiation, and between 12 and 35% of patients develop clinically significant lymphedema. Lymphedema is the result of disruption in the lymphatic system, resulting in obstructed lymphatic flow, swelling, pain, and susceptibility to infection. Similar problems arise in the lower extremities due to surgeries in the legs or abdomen. Lymphedema is generally a lifelong disability that frequently worsens over time. There are no effective surgical or medical treatments for this condition. The mainstay of treatment is compressive therapy, usually by wraps and bandages or mechanical compression devices. However, these compressive treatments are expensive, confining, and difficult to use properly and consistently. The ReidSleeve overcomes these limitations.

 Compressive wraps
Compressive wraps are difficult and time consuming to apply properly. If the wrap is too tight it will be painful and obstruct lymphatic and venous outflow. If the wrap is too loose it will not be effective. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism to determine the pressure that is applied by the wraps. As a result, the patient can not be certain that the applied pressure is either correct or consistent. Wraps are also very difficult to apply by the patient. In many cases a trained nurse or dedicated and well-trained partner must assist the patient, impeding the patient's sense of independence. For many patients, experienced help is not available.

 Mechanical pumps
The machine, hoses and compression chambers limit the patient's mobility. Many patients complain of pain, numbness and tingling due to the high pressures generated by the mechanical pumps. Unfortunately, many patients have no alternative and simply live with this problem. Finally, for many patients the mechanical pumps are ineffective.