The most common injuries borne by sportspersons are knee injuries, which sometimes take several weeks to heal completely. A sensor-based bandage has been developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA to track the healing progress by monitoring the movements of the joint.
Bandage with integrated sensors from Fraunhofer
Special sensors measure the forces acting upon the joint and the degree to which the joint can rotate. Angular measurement systems in the sensors are based on acceleration, magnetic principles and rate-of-rotation.
The sensors record the data and observe the movements simultaneously; enabling doctors to study the healing process in the patient and give an insight into their movements. A software evaluates the recorded information and allows doctors to recognize trends and thereby adjust treatments accordingly. The sensor systems do not restrict movement in any manner.
Researcher at Fraunhofer IPA, Bernhard Kleiner stated that the sensors highlight the improvements made in the knee thereby giving the patients a boost of confidence even though they may physically feel that the treatment is not working.
The sensor-based mobile joint bandage was demonstrated by the researchers at the MEDTEC Europe trade show in Stuttgart, Germany during March 22 to 24, 2011.