Radial
Monitoring System for ACL Injury Recovery
Senior Studio –Collaboration with Tactile
Medical Monitoring Devices
2019
Data Collection Through Movement
The system provides clarity on the recovery progress to ensure a quick recovery, eliminate extraneous injuries, and provide direct feedback on range of motion progression for the patient and the physical therapist.
How it works...
An RGB video camera also records the patient's exercises when prompted and is the charging source for the pucks.
The system includes two smart pucks that gather data on the patient's range of motion when placed in the compression sleeve.
Detecting Range of Motion
Smart pucks connect through stitched textile sensors in the sleeve to collect data on range of motion to send to the interfaces via bluetooth for the patient and the physical therapist.
Patient App & Physical Therapist Interface
The app tracks progress and guides patients through weekly exercises. Progress from each week is sent to the physical therapist, along with messages, video recordings of the patients exercises, and statistics from the week.
Research and Design Process
Torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
Injury is caused by sudden movements and over-twisting of the knee.
Common injury for athletes involved in soccer, basketball, skiing, tennis and volleyball.
Treatment
Lasting Effects
Surgery
Brace
Physical Therapy
Electrical Stimulation
Massage Therapy
Reduced Flexibility
Osteoarthritis
Cartilage Damage
Muscle Atrophy
Reduced Dexterity
ACL Injury Patient Journey
The long recovery process post–surgery includes doctor visits, weekly physical therapy, and at-home exercises.
MONITOR
TREAT
Existing products for ACL injuries address treatment and monitoring separately, but few provide both for the patient.
What if a device could do both?
Pain Points in Rehabilitation
Slow recovery process
Development of other injuries due to lack of performing exercises correctly
Lack of knowledge on progression of recovery
How could a product monitor range of motion and mobility for patients suffering from an ACL injury? How could it ensure fast recovery, prevent further injury, and provide direct feedback on progress?
Radial
A monitoring system for ACL Injury Recovery