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The subject of the research is the analysis of the dynamics of forces in the intelligent
Cheneau brace prototype. The traditional Cheneau static brace is the main method for
idiopathic scoliosis treatment. The orthosis corrects deformation of the spine by exerting
multi-point pressure forces on the patient torso around the spine and thorax. This work
focuses on the analysis of data collected by the prototype device that was in clinical trials
with a small group of patients. It was undertaken to systematise the results and create rules
for the implementation in the decision making system. The described studies are part of the
research for a doctoral dissertation.
The intelligent Cheneau brace is a portable system based on the STM32 microcontroller
that collects forces values data at real time from sensors mounted on the orthosis in order to
determine the reference range of applied pressures and to find the optimal values to
increase the effectiveness of scoliosis treatment. For this purpose, a device with a frequency
of 1 measurement per second was designed. The sensors used in the device were an in-
house made thin-film graphene sensors. In all patients' tests, the sensors in the brace are
placed in the same areas to compare the results from all cases - to be able to find out where
there are the highest values of pressure and whether in all the examined patients the biggest
forces occur on the sensors located in same area. The essence of the research is to
determine forces distribution in the same areas with different patients, which sensors are
most active during the day, and whether they are the same in different patients. The data
collection process is carried out with every 1 second, then these results are averaged in
optimal time samples for results analysis. Based on those research, it is possible to
determine how the time of day affects the pressure exerted on patient torso in the brace and
how human activity (sleeping, standing, sitting posture) impacts those forces.
The collected data was analysed focusing on the interaction of individual sensors within
the spine and thorax areas. Due to the fact that tests were carried out on larger number of
patients, the comparison of the force values from individual sensors for different people and
their activity during the day between several patients were possible. The comparison of
collected results with X-rays of the spine in the brace from the whole treatment cycle allows
to assess how wearing the brace impacts the effective correction of the spine curvature.
Considering the analysis of a person's skeletal system and the generated pressures, it will
be possible to optimize the method of posture correction. The research described above is
intended to highlight the need for research into the field of spine defects using modern
technology.
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