‘Bones’ is an orthopedic cast with sensors for capturing muscle activity.

Detailed Description:
The goal of Bones is to offer concrete information and a sense of achievement according to the level of exercise that users do during the cast period. Based on all the physical activity data of the patient, Bones simulates the time reduced from the users full mobility and muscle strain recovery treatment.

Know drawbacks of design:
The cost of electromyographic sensor is high today, which would make this product too expensive for massive production. The project is on initial stage of prototyping and there are more testing to do on info capture quality by the sensors on the skin of the patient. How much a physical exercise would represent in days the recovery of muscles strains?

Website:
http://www.pedroandrade.com/#614856/Bones-is-an-orthopedic-cast-with-sensors-for-capturing-muscle

Designed in:
2010

Status of realization:
Prototype

Keywords:
communication, disability, education, energy, health, lifestyle, mobility, network, sports, technology

Form
As the project basically consist on making exercises I searched for a material for the cast which would enable the user to do it. To be lighter, more hygienic and thiner than the traditional plaster material and to provide the best conditions for exercising I selected Polycaprolactone for the cast. One of the qualities of this material is that it can be shaped and laser cutted in any form. The muscle sensors are embedded on the band that goes under the cast and keep the muscle tension around the fracture area.

Impact
All the information collected from the user goes to the community based website of Bones where it is available online to all. Doctors, physiotherapists and new users of Bones can consult and follow the patient's progress. On the website new users can visualize the achievements of current and former patients with the same type of fracture. The reason for sharing this information works as a way to encourage new users to engage with their recovery process from the beginning of their treatment.

Context
Scenario 1: Starting to exercise after cast removal The process of recovering from a fractured bone is not limited only to the period spent with the cast, but to the entire mobility and muscle strains recovery process. During the cast period the fractured limb loses huge amounts of muscle strain due to the inactivity of the area. One of the causes is that users start to exercise the limb only after removing the cast while they should be engaged in keeping the muscles around the fractured area active from the very first day with the cast. Scenario 2 (Bones): Exercising from the first day with the cast Giving from the first day with the cast a sence of achievement according to the amount of exercises the user do. The user can reduce up to 20% of their mobility recovery time.

Other relevant information
Before going to muscle sensors I prototyped the same concept with thermochromic ink on the band which goes under the cast. According to the heat generated by exercises the color of the cast would change. The result wasn't precise as the color also change according to the temperature of the ambient.

Proven and/or potential effects:
This product can provide a huge benefit to fractured patients keeping them engaged with their recovery process. Torben Svanberg, Bevica Gruppen

Is the design protected by patent or ip registration?
none

How has the development of the design been financed hereunto?
Personal investment

Is there a plan for future investments?
Not known

Is there in-house competencies to secure market roll out of the design, with regards to investment, distribution, sales, etc.?
No

Designed by:
Pedro Nakazato Andrade, Interaction designer, www.pedroandrade.com, Project leader, Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil, Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design