Smart Knee Brace Actuator Control for Immobilization and Rehabilitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knee braces fail to effectively immobilize the knee joint during healing and rehabilitation, requiring multiple devices for different phases of treatment, which is inconvenient and time-consuming for patients and therapists.
Innovation Solution
A smart knee brace system that includes adjustable straps, motion sensors, and actuators controlled by a computing device to immobilize or facilitate movement based on programmed physical therapy instructions, allowing for a single device to serve both immobilization and rehabilitation functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large knee brace is used to immobilize the knee post-surgery, then the knee joint is effectively stabilized, but the device must be removed before physical therapy sessions and replaced with another brace, increasing treatment complexity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The knee brace is designed to perform multiple functions: it can immobilize the knee joint during healing phases and facilitate controlled movement during rehabilitation phases. The actuator system allows the same device to transition between providing rigid support and enabling therapeutic motion, eliminating the need for multiple separate braces
Solution Approach 2:
The knee brace incorporates an actuator that can dynamically adjust the range of motion allowed at the knee joint. By controlling the actuator's motion limits, the device transitions from a static immobilization structure to a dynamic rehabilitation tool, adapting its functionality based on treatment phase without requiring device replacement
2Device complexity
If a traditional knee brace with hinges is used to mimic knee joint action, then the brace structure is simple, but it fails to immobilize the knee joint effectively when complete stabilization is required
Solution Approach 1:
The knee brace employs a hydraulic actuator that uses fluid pressure to control the range of motion at the knee joint. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism provides precise control over joint movement, enabling effective immobilization when needed while maintaining a relatively simple overall brace structure through the use of a single actuating component
3Reliability
If multiple knee braces are used for different treatment phases, then each brace can be optimized for its specific function, but the patient must change braces during therapy sessions, consuming time and reducing treatment efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The knee brace is designed to perform multiple functions: it can immobilize the knee joint during healing phases and facilitate controlled movement during rehabilitation phases. The actuator system allows the same device to transition between providing rigid support and enabling therapeutic motion, eliminating the need for multiple separate braces
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is pre-configured with programmable motion limits that can be set in advance for different treatment phases. This preliminary configuration allows the single brace to be rapidly transitioned between immobilization and rehabilitation modes without requiring physical reconfiguration or device replacement, thereby maintaining treatment effectiveness while improving efficiency
4Device complexity
If a single knee brace is designed to serve both immobilization and rehabilitation functions, then device complexity increases, but the need for multiple braces is eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The knee brace employs a hydraulic actuator that uses fluid pressure to control the range of motion at the knee joint. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism provides precise control over joint movement, enabling effective immobilization when needed while maintaining a relatively simple overall brace structure through the use of a single actuating component
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the position and motion of the knee joint, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the actuator to automatically adjust the range of motion based on real-time joint position data, enhancing the brace's adaptability across different treatment phases while managing complexity through automated control
Data Source
AI summary
A smart knee brace including a knee brace, multiple thigh bands, multiple shin bands, and multiple brace straps removably attached to one another and multiple motion actuators and sensors. Each motion actuator is connected to one brace strap and each sensor is connected to one motion actuator to measure an orientation of corresponding brace strap and generate a motion signal. A computing device receives the motion signals from the sensors; measures a current range of motion of the thigh, the shin, and the knee, and, based on the received motion signals, and generates drive signals based on the measured current range of motion. A native smart knee brace computer application on a smart phone of the user is operatively connected to the computing device and a cloud application server provide higher level analysis of the motions of the smart knee brace.