Wearable Sensor ACL Injury Susceptibility Assessment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining ACL injury susceptibility are subjective and imprecise, lacking a quantitative and objective approach to identify athletes at risk, which can lead to ineffective prevention and costly recovery processes.

Innovation Solution

A method using body mechanics tests like the stork test and squat test, processed through a susceptibility score algorithm, with wearable devices equipped with sensors to measure angles and movements, providing a quantitative assessment of ACL injury risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If qualitative physical exams are used to determine ACL injury susceptibility, then the diagnostic process is simple and quick, but the measurement precision and objectivity are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveACL injury susceptibility assessment accuracyVSAvoiddiagnostic system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective manual physical examination with objective sensor-based measurement systems. Wearable sensors with accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers automatically capture movement data during standardized tests, eliminating human subjectivity and improving measurement precision without requiring complex diagnostic equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-assessment through mobile applications that guide users through standardized movement tests and automatically process sensor data. The algorithm calculates ACL injury susceptibility scores independently, reducing the need for specialized medical personnel while maintaining high measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If subjective diagnostic methods are used by athletic trainers, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability and consistency of results vary with diagnostician experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic consistencyVSAvoiddiagnostic process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides immediate feedback through automated susceptibility scoring based on sensor data. The algorithm consistently processes movement patterns from standardized tests to generate reliable ACL injury risk assessments, eliminating variability between different diagnosticians while maintaining ease of use through mobile device integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If invasive surgery is performed for ACL tears, then the injury is treated effectively, but the loss of time and recovery cost are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury treatment effectivenessVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of ACL injury susceptibility before injuries occur through standardized movement testing and sensor-based analysis. By identifying at-risk athletes in advance, the system enables preventive interventions such as targeted strengthening exercises and technique modifications, potentially avoiding the need for invasive surgery and lengthy recovery periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20230096206A1Method and Device for Diagnosing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Susceptibility

Publication Date: 2023.03.30 CHAVEY LINDSEY

AI summary

Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for the purpose of quantitatively determining the susceptibility of a human subject to injure their Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). A method for determining injury susceptibility scores or risk categories includes determining hip extension angles and knee varus angles during the performance of a stork test and determining hip abduction angles during a squat test. Determination of angles during certain movements may be achieved using various systems and devices, including wearable devices.