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Dynamic Pressure Monitoring System for Orthotic Treatment of Scoliosis
Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Summary
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) involves three-dimensional spinal deformity in children aged between 10 and 16. Traditional braces modify the natural dynamics and thus the mechanical behaviour of the scoliotic spine through external constraints. Patients usually develop pressure ulcers and skin irritation when prescribed brace treatment for 18-23 hours per day. The excessive pressure, unknown pressure distribution and pressure shifting between the human body and the brace causes the effects of brace treatment to be unpredictable. Dynamic pressure monitoring system will be developed based on the body landmarks of scoliotic patients and critical areas where active pressure is applied by the brace. The overall pressure distribution and dynamic pressure between the body and the thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthosis (TLSO) rigid brace will be measured. The efficacy of the brace design will be evaluated, and the maximum compressive stresses that patients can endure on different body parts without pressure injury can be computed.
Official title: Design of a Dynamic Pressure Monitoring System for Orthotic Treatment of Scoliosis
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
10 Years - 15 Years
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
20
Start Date
2022-01-02
Completion Date
2027-12-31
Last Updated
2024-10-18
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Pressure monitoring system
The pressure measurement undergarment will be given to all consenting AIS patients who have received their own thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthosis (TLSO) rigid brace. Each patient will wear the undergarment first and the TLSO brace on top. FBG sensors embedded in the undergarment will measure each pressure signal at approximately 2 minutes. The average force reading will be calculated. Then, the experiment will be repeated once, but the anisotropic textile brace will replace the TLSO brace. The pressure measurement system will be used to obtain an accurate and adequate comparison of the forces applied to the patients. The effectiveness of the anisotropic textile brace will be evaluated through X-ray radiography, and its correction effect with be compared with that of the TLSO brace.
Locations (1)
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kolwoon, Hong Kong