Smart Joint Brace with Sensor-Integrated Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current joint braces are expensive, complex, and require skilled labor, and they inadequately facilitate the assessment and rehabilitation of human joints, relying on self-reporting for exercise effectiveness without adequate data collection or progress measurement.
Innovation Solution
A medical device comprising a joint brace with rotatable joints, sensors for angle measurements, and a computing device for data recording and transmission, allowing users to track and transmit movement data for analysis by medical professionals, enabling effective assessment and rehabilitation of joints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional joint braces are used, then structural support and controlled movement are provided, but the device becomes expensive, complex, and requires skilled labor
Solution Approach 1:
The brace is divided into separate modular components (first brace portion, second brace portion, hinge assembly) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components while maintaining overall structural support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is designed to provide multiple functions: structural support, controlled movement, and data collection capabilities. By integrating sensing and communication features into the hinge, the device reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby reducing overall complexity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional joint braces are used, then movement control is achieved, but adequate data collection for joint assessment and progress measurement is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly includes sensors that continuously monitor joint movement and provide real-time feedback data. This feedback mechanism enables objective measurement of joint assessment parameters and rehabilitation progress, eliminating the information loss associated with self-reporting methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly acts as an intermediary between the joint and the data collection system. It contains integrated sensors and communication components that automatically capture and transmit movement data, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between physical joint movement and digital data storage.
3Productivity
If self-reporting is used for exercise effectiveness, then patient compliance can be monitored, but objective feedback and progress measurement are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/self-reporting monitoring system with an electronic sensing and data transmission system. The hinge assembly's sensors automatically detect movement parameters and transmit them digitally, substituting the imprecise mechanical measurement method with a more accurate electronic system that provides objective feedback.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device for assessing and/or rehabilitating a human joint of an extremity includes a joint brace comprising a first support for coupling to an upper part of the extremity, a second support for coupling to a lower part of the extremity, and a rotatable joint connecting the first and second supports, and a mechanical device coupled to the first and second supports, the mechanical device configured for moving one or more of the first and second supports so as to rotate about the joint. In another alternative the medical device can include sensors located for making angle measurements between the first and second supports and for recording movement data and a computing device for receiving and storing the angle measurements and the movement data and for transmitting said data via a radio transmitter.