Orthopedic Brace Control Through Surface EMG Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic systems face challenges such as surgical risks, high cost, complexity, limited range of motion, and lack of independence for patients who have lost the ability to voluntarily control their limbs due to injuries or illnesses, as they often require muscle contraction for operation and do not account for individual anatomical variations.
Innovation Solution
An orthopedic system with a multi-axial joint, actuation assembly, control unit, and sensors that allow patients to communicate with the actuation assembly through voluntary muscle contractions or external devices, enabling independent movement of the brace without requiring muscle activation, and accommodating individual anatomical variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surgically implanted sensors are used to provide an operable interface between the patient's brain and the actuator, then the patient can control the actuator, but the system incurs surgical risks and high cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses surface electromyography (EMG) sensors as an intermediary device placed on the skin to detect muscle signals, eliminating the need for surgical implantation while maintaining the ability to provide an operable interface between the patient's nervous system and the actuator. This mediator approach allows signal detection without penetrating the skin or requiring surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/surgical implantation approach with a non-invasive electrical signal detection method using surface EMG sensors. Instead of physically implanting electrodes into muscles or nerves, the system uses electrical field detection through the skin to achieve the same control interface function.
2Ease of operation
If actuators are activated by signals from muscles within the brace, then the system can be controlled, but the muscles must still be able to voluntarily contract which is not possible for quadriplegic patients
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses surface EMG sensors as an intermediary to detect electrical signals from muscles that can still be voluntarily contracted (such as facial muscles or residual limb muscles in quadriplegic patients). These detected signals serve as mediators to trigger actuator activation, allowing control even when the primary limb muscles are non-functional.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the actuator system to be controlled by signals from any muscle in the body that can be voluntarily contracted, not just muscles within the brace. This universal approach allows quadriplegic patients to use alternative muscle groups (such as facial muscles, tongue, or residual limb muscles) to control the actuator, significantly expanding applicability.
3Device complexity
If single-axle hinges are used in the brace, then the structure is simple, but the brace does not account for carrying angle and limits full range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the joint structure into multiple independent rotational axes (multi-axle hinge) rather than using a single axis. This segmentation allows each axis to independently accommodate different anatomical parameters such as carrying angle and joint alignment, providing both structural simplicity through modular design and enhanced adaptability to individual anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic multi-axle hinge system that can adjust and accommodate varying anatomical configurations through multiple degrees of freedom. This dynamic structure adapts to the patient's specific carrying angle and joint alignment requirements, maximizing the full range of motion while maintaining relatively simple individual component designs.
4Ease of manufacture
If common orthopedic braces are designed as one-size-fits-all, then manufacturing is simple, but fit and alignment issues occur because the limb is not perfectly straight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic multi-axle hinge system that can be adjusted to accommodate various anatomical configurations. Instead of manufacturing different braces for different anatomies, the system provides adjustability through multiple rotational axes that can be positioned and oriented to match the patient's specific limb alignment and carrying angle, achieving precise fit while maintaining standardized manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows for parameter changes in the joint configuration through the multi-axle hinge design, enabling adjustment of axis orientation, positioning, and alignment to match individual anatomical parameters. This parameter adjustability resolves the conflict between standardized manufacturing and customized fit by allowing the same brace design to be adapted to different anatomical variations.
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 independence by allowing controlled movement of limbs, improving range of motion, and accommodating individual anatomical differences, thus facilitating daily activities like drinking and scratching, while reducing surgical risks and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor capable of sensing a signal from a voluntary muscle contraction and then sending a signal to the control unit to activate the actuation assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic system wherein a patient's brain is operably coupled to an actuation assembly for voluntarily moving a brace/limb of the patient between a number of desirable positions. An orthopedic brace, or one of more components thereof, which can be utilized with the orthopedic system.