Corsinel compression underwear is made from 50% elastane and 50% polyamide, which makes it more flexible than a traditional hernia bandage. The upper part of the compression underwear supports the hernia, while the lower part is made from a softer material, which makes both dressing and undressing easy. This combination makes the underwear very flexible and comfortable in use.

Functionality and use of design
Corsinel compression underwear was developed to help both men and women who have developed a hernia in connection with a colostomy operation. The Corsinel hernia support underwear is the first standardised medical device of its kind.

The Corsinel range includes many different varieties and sizes to meet the different needs of both men and women with a hernia.

How did this design improve life?
Many people develop a very bothersome hernia after a colostomy operation. This was the basis for developing Corsinel – compression underwear for men and women with a hernia. Both in terms of design and function, Corsinel resembles underwear rather than a medical device, which is crucial for the user’s self-esteem and quality of life. Corsinel is an exemplary case of user-oriented design!

Drawbacks of life improvement
At present, the manufacturer has not identified any side effects related to the use of Corsinel. The compression underwear has undergone biological assessment and has achieved the environmental mark Økotex 100. In addition, Coloplast considers applying for the ecological brand ‘The Flower’.

Research and need
Annette Meyer and Astrid Krogh worked for three years on the development of the Corsinel compression underwear. They worked closely together with colostomy patients, with the textile company TYTEX specialized in knitwear and with Coloplast. The colostomy patients were very much involved in the development process and had a big influence on the final design.

During the development process Coloplast, Anette Meyer, Astrid Krogh and TYTEX were in touch with a group of 40 people in Denmark who were involved in testing new ideas concerning the design of the Corsinel underwear – including the fit, whether the material was too thick/thin etc, in short, everything required to ensure the highest degree of user comfort. Particularly close contact was established with a group of 10-15 users, and Coloplast and the other parties involved in the development process were able to call or visit the users at any point in the process to test a new idea.

Thus, the final design was based on a very high frequency of user-feedback, a crucial factor in making the design as good and as user-oriented as possible. With underwear especially, it is important to ensure the highest possible level of comfort and fit, as it is a design that is in use all the time - and preferably unnoticed.

Designed by
Annette Meyer & Astrid Krogh - Denmark