Pressure therapy technology originated in the early 20th century with inflatable anti-shock trousers, while the first intermittent pneumatic compression devices specifically designed for thrombosis prevention appeared in 1958.
The application of microprocessor technology in the 1980s enabled programmable control of the devices, and the introduction of the gradient pressure concept in 1994 significantly enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Since the turn of the 21st century, advancements in flexible sensors and artificial intelligence have allowed a new generation of devices to monitor changes in limb swelling in real time and automatically adjust pressure parameters. In recent years, breakthroughs in wearable technology have driven the evolution of these devices toward miniaturization and wireless operation; some products are now comparable in thickness to standard protective gear, greatly improving user convenience.