THE PROBLEM:
Stroke is the leading cause of disability among adults in the United States with more than 4 million Americans currently living with post-stroke after-effects. Presently the nation spends more than$10 billion per year on post-stroke rehabilitation experts such as physical therapists. While researchers have studied upper limb stroke recovery extensively, lower limb rehab solutions are lacking. Furthermore, there is a pressing need for more out-of-clinic, at-home therapy options.
THE SOLUTION:
Researchers at The University of Alabama have developed an intelligent, wireless, low-cost sensor system that automatically and accurately measures the quality of physical therapy of the lower limbs. The system uses wireless thermal cameras and pressure sensors around the feet and legs to capture and report motion data, avoiding inconvenient in-person clinic visits. Once the data is analyzed, proper exercise suggestions are given, and progress is tracked further. The technology can be integrated with other rehabilitation equipment such as a treadmill by utilizing its home-oriented cyber-physical system.
BENEFITS:
- Automatically tracks rehabilitation progress without clinic visits
- Provides highly accurate training data
- Cost-efficient at-home solution
- Easily integrated with other e-rehab systems
The University of Alabama Research Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) is a non-profit corporation that is responsible for commercializing University of Alabama technologies and for supporting University research. At OIC, we seek parties that are interested in learning more about our technologies and commercialization opportunities, and we welcome any inquiries you may have.
