Maynooth Graduate’s Device For Lymphatic Drainage Makes Global Dyson Finals

Wednesday, 15 October 2025 11:11

By Martin Osborne

Zoe O’Sullivan’s Lymphia earned her the Irish national title last month, and she has now advanced to the Global Top 20, placing her work on an international stage.

Maynooth University graduate Zoë O’Sullivan has been named among the global finalists for the prestigious James Dyson Award for her invention, Lymphia - a device that empowers patients to perform lymphatic drainage therapy independently at home.

The international competition recognises innovative designs from engineering and design students or recent graduates that tackle real-world problems or global challenges.

O’Sullivan’s Lymphia earned her the Irish national title last month, and she has now advanced to the Global Top 20, placing her work on an international stage.

Her handheld invention offers a practical and affordable alternative for people living with lymphedema and lipedema, conditions that cause swelling due to disruptions in the lymphatic system.

Patients often depend on expensive compression machines or frequent physiotherapy sessions - challenges that Lymphia seeks to overcome through user-friendly, at-home treatment.

Lymphedema typically affects the arms and legs but can also impact other areas of the body, and O’Sullivan’s innovation aims to improve quality of life for those managing the chronic condition.

O’Sullivan was inspired by a friend with lymphoedema and her own recovery from breast reduction surgery, during which she experienced fluid retention and saw the benefits of drainage therapy.