Sean Keane, a student at the Nottingham Trent University has designed a knee support sleeve that could stop painful, career-ending injuries before they occur. The design uses a prototype sleeve – made from elastomer and nylon – to apply compression to the knee, aiding blood flow to help reduce the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in sports professionals.

Sean Keane, who studies MSc Advanced Product Design Engineering, designed the sleeve as part of his end of year project, and has been looking at the opportunity to incorporate his designs into a pair of leggings to cater for the sports fashion market.

Lightweight and comfortable

ACL injuries happen when a ligament in the knee becomes torn, and in most cases sleeves are used after injury to help the muscle repair, but this product works to prevent damage to the knee from occurring.

The injuries can take players out of action for over a year, and have been known to affect top sports professionals like Maria Sharapova and Michael Owen. Sean, who found inspiration for his designs in his love of lacrosse said: “I’ve seen players taken out of action because of ACL injuries; most players resort to using post-injury knee supports, but often complain that they are restrictive and uncomfortable to wear.”

“The current knee supports available on the market use heavy materials that apply pressure to the knee. My design is made from an elastomer and nylon blend which is lightweight, comfortable and can be worn to prevent injuries before it’s too late.”

Fashionable and functional

After studying at the university for five years, completing his undergraduate Product Design degree in 2014, he plans to pitch his design concepts to sports clothing manufacturers. “Players are often conscious of wearing knee sleeves, because they don't want to appear as though they have been injured. A pair of leggings is fashionable and also allows the wearer to keep the knee sleeve hidden,” he said.

Martin Higginson, Senior Lecturer in Product Design said: “Sean’s design uses lightweight materials whilst still providing a level of support to the knee. His innovative design could help prevent the painful injuries that ruin sports professionals’ careers.”

Sean’s sports sleeve will be showcased as part of a celebration of work from postgraduate design students from the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment. Open to the public, the exhibition running this week will be a unique opportunity to view the innovative designs of students from a diverse range of courses, including a display of medical products, furniture and interior architecture.

www.ntu.ac.uk