Orthopedic Brace With Integrated Potentiometer Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic braces lack effective monitoring and feedback mechanisms to ensure proper use and progress tracking for patients with ACL or collateral ligament injuries, limiting the ability of healthcare providers to manage post-surgical care and rehabilitation effectively.
Innovation Solution
A brace with integrated remote patient monitoring technology, including a potentiometer and various sensors, that tracks and reports patient mobility and activity data to both patients and healthcare providers, enabling virtual therapy and proactive support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a brace is equipped with integrated remote patient monitoring technology including potentiometers and sensors, then patient mobility and activity data can be tracked and reported in real-time, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple monitoring functions (potentiometer for angular orientation, accelerometers for motion detection, gyroscopes for rotational movement) into a single integrated control unit within the brace. This merging of sensors and processing capabilities allows comprehensive patient mobility tracking while consolidating complexity into a centralized module rather than distributed components.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the physical brace structure and the digital monitoring system. It processes raw sensor data from potentiometers and motion sensors, converts mechanical movements into digital signals, and manages wireless communication with external devices, thereby mediating between the simple mechanical brace and the complex monitoring requirements.
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring and feedback mechanisms are implemented in the brace, then patient engagement and post-surgical care management improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensor data from the brace is processed by the control unit and transmitted to external devices for real-time monitoring. This feedback mechanism allows healthcare providers to track patient compliance with rehabilitation protocols, detect abnormal movements, and intervene promptly, thereby improving care reliability through data-driven decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace enables patients to self-monitor their own recovery progress through the integrated system. Patients can view their own mobility data, compliance metrics, and recovery milestones through connected devices, allowing them to take active responsibility for their rehabilitation without requiring constant professional oversight, thus improving reliability through patient empowerment.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and transducers are integrated into the brace for comprehensive monitoring, then measurement precision of joint motion improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into distinct functional modules: potentiometers for angular measurement, accelerometers for linear motion detection, and gyroscopes for rotational tracking. Each sensor type is independently positioned at strategic locations on the brace to capture specific movement parameters, allowing for precise joint motion measurement while enabling modular manufacturing and assembly of specialized components.
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
Enhances patient engagement in rehabilitation, reduces healthcare provider visits, and improves post-surgical care management by providing real-time feedback on brace usage and recovery progress, thus improving patient outcomes and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The brace includes a potentiometer coupled to the hinge. A method of monitoring the relative angular orientation of a first arm of a brace relative to a second arm of the brace is provided. The method includes monitoring an output of a potentiometer coupled to one of the first arm and the second arm.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
A brace configured for attachment to a joint of a subject is provided. The brace includes a first arm having a first end and a second end. The brace includes a second arm having a first end and a second end. The brace includes a hinge assembly coupling the first end of the first arm with the first end of the second arm such that the first arm and the second arm are movable to different relative angular orientations. The brace includes a potentiometer coupled to the hinge assembly. A method of monitoring a relative angular orientation of a first arm of a brace relative to a second arm of the brace is also provided. The method includes monitoring an output of a potentiometer coupled to one of the first arm and the second arm.