Adaptive Knee Brace with Sensor-Based Tightness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional knee braces either restrict motion and fail to provide adequate support to prevent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears or allow excessive fluid motion without sufficient support, increasing the risk of ACL injuries.
Innovation Solution
A knee brace equipped with an electronic goniometer that measures knee bending angles and adjusts its tightness using motors and strings to apply pressure when excessive bending is detected, providing support without limiting normal motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional knee braces restrict motion to provide support, then ACL injury prevention is improved, but range of motion is reduced and athlete performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The knee brace transitions from a static, continuously restrictive design to a dynamic, adaptive system that automatically adjusts its support level based on real-time sensor feedback. The controller modulates the tightness of the sleeve through motors, providing maximum support only when abnormal bending is detected while allowing full range of motion during normal activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor knee bending angles and provide feedback to a controller. This feedback loop enables the brace to distinguish between normal and abnormal bending patterns, automatically adjusting its restrictive force accordingly - applying pressure only when the sensor detects bending beyond safe thresholds.
2Reliability
If conventional knee braces provide continuous support, then ACL protection is improved, but comfort and athlete compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying continuous restrictive force, the brace employs periodic, event-driven activation. The sleeve remains loose and comfortable during normal wear, then periodically tightens only when the sensor detects abnormal bending angles, providing protection precisely when needed while minimizing discomfort during normal activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses autonomous sensor-based detection and automatic controller response to determine when support is needed, eliminating the need for user judgment or manual adjustment. The brace self-regulates its tightness based on real-time biomechanical feedback, ensuring protection without requiring user intervention.
3Ease of operation
If knee braces allow free motion for athlete performance, then range of motion is improved, but ACL injury risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the mechanical parameter of sleeve tightness based on detected knee bending angles. During normal motion, the sleeve maintains a loose state allowing full range of motion. When the sensor detects bending angles exceeding safe thresholds, the controller activates motors to tighten the sleeve, changing the mechanical constraint parameter to prevent injury.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The knee brace reduces the time the ACL is in a vulnerable position, thereby lowering the risk of ACL injuries by offering additional support during high-risk movements while allowing free range of motion during safe activities.
Implementation Method 1
The first sensor is configured to detect a configuration of the flexible sleeve
Implementation Method 2
a sleeve tightening mechanism configured to adjust a tightness of the flexible sleeve
Implementation Method 3
The sleeve tightening mechanism includes a motor configured to pull a string to tighten the sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A knee brace includes a flexible sleeve made of a flexible fabric; a memory device configured to store a reference configuration of the flexible sleeve; a first sensor configured to detect a configuration of the flexible sleeve; and a sleeve tightening mechanism configured to adjust a tightness of the flexible sleeve. A controller is configured to receive an output signal representing, or indicative of, the detected configuration from the first sensor, compare the detected configuration with the reference configuration, and control the sleeve tightening mechanism based on a result of a comparison of the detected configuration of the flexible sleeve and the reference configuration of the flexible sleeve.