1. Smart Brace: A Way for ACL Patients to Track Rehab Progression
Taylor Ellsworth
Advisor: Professor Buma

2. Motivation Knee injuries are prevalent in today’s society
The rehab programs are not geared towards the individual
Is there a way to track an individual’s rehab progress?

3. Smart Brace Sensors to measure range of motion
Wireless transmission to computer

4. Normal ROM is 0 degrees of extension to 135 degrees of flexion
User Requirements
What will the Smart Brace record?
Range of Motion
Normal ROM is 0 degrees of extension to 135 degrees of flexion

5. User Requirements When to use? How long to record?
Rehab exercises
How long to record?
2 Minute Exercises
1 Hour Total
How often to record?
300 times per second
Size and Weight?
Cannot interfere with user

6. Components Potentiometer Arduino Nano
Rotation: 312°
Arduino Nano
Small size (0.73” x 1.70”, 5 g)
SRAM Memory: 2 KB
Bluefruit EZ-Link Bluetooth Module
Detect and change serial baud rate

7. Picture of Actual Knee Brace

8. Wireless Data Transmission
Wi-Fi
Long range is not necessary
High power consumption
Bluetooth
High latency is not an issue
Better for short range
Easier to use

9. Data Transmission – Arduino Side
Sending one value at a time
Buffering data then sending it

10. Data Transmission – Computer Side
Receiving one data at a time Receiving buffered data

11. User Interface What Will The User See?
Range of Motion Value for every rep
Overall Max Range of Motion Value
Plot of Range of Motion Values
117

12. Results
Array of range of motion values

13. Results

14. Results
Tested accuracy of Smart Brace by comparing it to a protractor measurement
Unfortunately, the measurements using the Smart Brace were roughly 3.5 degrees off

15. Conclusion
Designed a knee brace with a sensor to track a user’s range of motion
Wirelessly transmitted the data over Bluetooth, so the user can track their rehab progress
However, I do not believe the project was successful as it should have been
Goal
Was it met?
Attach Potentiometer to Brace and convert readings to Range of Motion
Yes
Wirelessly Buffer and Transmit Data
Display useful data so the user can track their progress
Data accuracy within 1 degree No

16. Future Work
Increase accuracy of data
Design an Android application

17. Thank You

18. Data Transmission – Arduino Side

19. Data Transmission – Computer Side