Scoliosis Brace Force Mapping for Skin-Safe Orthopedic Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for designing scoliosis braces face challenges in achieving a good orthopedic effect while avoiding continuous skin compression, due to numerous uncertain factors in determining the adjustment degree and a tedious fine adjustment process, which can lead to ineffective treatment and skin pressure issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing an adjustment device with force sensors to scan and adjust the skeletal structure, determining the necessary force distribution and magnitude to achieve a target state, thereby designing a brace that minimizes skin compression and ensures effective orthopedic treatment through intelligent and efficient adjustment processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the brace applies stronger orthopedic force to treat scoliosis, then the orthopedic effect is improved, but skin pressure sores occur due to continuous skin compression
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different force magnitudes and distributions at different locations on the spine based on the specific scoliosis condition. The force sensor guides the adjustment device to apply precise local forces only where needed, rather than uniform compression, thereby achieving effective orthopedic treatment while avoiding skin pressure sores in non-critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the magnitude, direction, and distribution parameters of the orthopedic force based on real-time feedback from the force sensor and skeletal image information. This allows optimization of force parameters to achieve the minimum effective force needed for treatment while staying below the threshold that causes skin compression damage.
2Device complexity
If traditional appearance-based adjustment method is used, then the design process is simple, but there are too many uncertain factors making it difficult to achieve desired therapeutic effect
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a force sensor that provides real-time feedback on the force applied during adjustment. This feedback loop allows the system to monitor and adjust the force magnitude and distribution dynamically, eliminating the uncertainty of appearance-based estimation and ensuring precise achievement of the target skeletal state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the traditional subjective appearance-based assessment with objective mechanical measurement using force sensors and skeletal image analysis. This substitution of mechanical measurement for visual estimation provides precise, quantifiable data on the adjustment degree, eliminating the uncertainty inherent in subjective judgment.
3Measurement precision
If X-ray imaging is used during brace adjustment to verify effect, then the orthopedic effect can be accurately assessed, but the patient receives harmful radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary approach by employing force sensors and skeletal image information as intermediate measurement tools. Instead of directly using X-ray imaging for continuous monitoring, the force sensor provides indirect but sufficient feedback about the adjustment effect, reducing radiation exposure while maintaining adequate assessment capability.
4Manufacturing precision
If manual fine adjustment process is used to optimize brace fit, then the orthopedic effect can be maximized, but the adjustment process becomes very tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service adjustment by using the force sensor to automatically guide the adjustment device in making precise adjustments. The system autonomously determines the optimal force distribution and guides the adjustment process without requiring extensive manual intervention and iterative fine-tuning, thereby achieving high precision while reducing the tediousness and time consumption of the adjustment process.
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 system allows for the efficient and intelligent design of braces that achieve a good orthopedic effect while avoiding continuous skin compression, reducing radiation exposure and simplifying the adjustment process, thus providing a valuable and ideal treatment for patients.
Implementation Method 1
one or more adjustment head provided with a force sensor; detecting a magnitude, direction and distribution of a force applied to the subject by the adjustment head via the force sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for brace designing. The method comprises the following steps: S1) fixing a subject requiring a brace; S2) acquiring skeletal image information of the subject; S3) determining an adjustment solution for implementing an adjustment with respect to the subject and a target state that is to be achieved ultimately; S4) adjusting the subject to alter the skeletal structure of the subject; S5) acquiring adjusted skeletal image information of the subject; S6) determining whether the skeleton of the subject has been adjusted to the target state; if yes, then terminating adjustment and entering step S7; if not, then returning to step S4; S7) acquiring the body surface three-dimensional shape of the subject having achieved the target state and recording information of the force applied by an adjusting head to the subject for use in manufacturing a corresponding brace; thus allowing the highly efficient designing of a brace.