Portable low-cost smart brace for elbow rehabilitation

This article deals with the development and experimentation of an elbow static progressive brace equipped with special sensors, aimed at objective evaluation of the physiological response of the articulation during treatments for recovery of the functional range of motion. The device is able to acquire and record the moment which is applied to the joint and the flexion angle of the latter. The first part of the article describes the general design of the brace, which takes into account the several specifications of such a device. The design considers both the mechanical and electronic requirements of the application. The device, after acceptance tests, was employed in an experimental phase where two different patients were analyzed. Ultimately, the device proved to be an useful instrument for the classification of the patients and the definition of the treatment protocol; further experience may allow to define criteria for an objective monitoring during the rehabilitation treatment.