Sensorized Joint Wrap With Adaptive Support for Knee Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional knee braces do not collect data on knee condition, performance, or function, and they do not adjust their functionality based on feedback, limiting movement without regard for the patient's specific condition, and existing evaluation techniques lack real-time data collection and adjustment capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A form-fitting knee brace integrated with sensors and a digital system that measures joint motion and physiological properties, allowing for real-time adjustments and feedback to optimize joint movement and prevent injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional rigid knee braces are used to provide support, then knee stability is improved, but the range of motion is limited and data collection capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknee stabilityVSAvoidrange of motion and data collection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The knee brace transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with adjustable properties. Sensors continuously monitor knee position, velocity, and acceleration, enabling the brace to adapt its support characteristics in real-time based on actual knee conditions and user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The brace incorporates sensors that provide continuous feedback about knee motion and conditions. This feedback loop enables the system to adjust support levels dynamically, optimizing both stability and range of motion based on real-time data about the user's actual knee state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If conventional flexible knee sleeves are used, then comfort and range of motion are improved, but data collection capability and active support are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort and range of motionVSAvoidknee condition data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the comfort and flexibility of soft knee sleeves with rigid support structures and electronic sensor systems. This combination creates a hybrid brace that maintains user comfort while enabling active monitoring and data collection about knee conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The knee brace is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing mechanical support, enabling range of motion, collecting sensor data, and offering user feedback. This multi-functional design eliminates the need to choose between comfort and data collection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If manual evaluation tools like goniometers are used, then measurement capability is provided, but continuous real-time data collection is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknee angle measurementVSAvoidcontinuous data collection rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement tools like goniometers with electronic sensor systems. Accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers continuously and automatically track knee motion, eliminating the need for manual measurement while providing both precise angles and continuous data streams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If conventional wearable sensors measuring relative leg-thigh motion are used, then motion tracking is provided, but accuracy for calibrating knee kinematic function is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion tracking capabilityVSAvoidknee kinematic calibration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of measuring only relative motion between leg and thigh segments, the system incorporates sensors that measure absolute orientation in three-dimensional space using accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers. This multi-dimensional approach enables accurate calibration of knee kinematic function by referencing global coordinate systems rather than just segmental relative positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20260102267A1Wearable System for Evaluating Joint Performance and Function

Publication Date: 2026.04.16 KINISI INC

AI summary

One embodiment of a disclosed wearable device includes a pliable wrap with a plurality of fluid chambers stitched together to structure the wrap to conform to a shape of a joint of the user. An array of tension sensors are embedded into the wrap across one or more horizontal axes and one or more vertical axes of the wrap. Each tension sensor in the array detects forces exerted by the joint covered by the wrap and is connected with at least one adjacent tension sensor by a conductive thread. The wrap is further embedded with a controller, which receives signals representing movements detected by tension sensors of the array and generates a signal to activate the electroactive gel in one or more fluid chambers based on an analysis of the received signals.