Optimisation and Validation of a New Low Profile Adherence Sensor for Monitoring Spinal Orthosis Wear-time 

Description

This presentation by Dom Wardell, a student from Sheffield, focuses on the optimization and validation of a new low-profile thermal compliance sensor designed for monitoring wear time of spinal orthoses in patients with scoliosis. Dom discusses the challenges of subjective patient-reported compliance, which often proves to be unreliable and overestimated. Recent advancements in sensor technology, including thermal and pressure monitors, provide objective ways to measure compliance, yet the optimal placement of these sensors within the brace remains unclear.



Dom outlines the study's methodology, which involves comparing the new Orthotimer sensor with the well-known iButton sensor, assessing various anatomical locations for sensor placement and determining the effects of brace lining thickness on sensor performance. Results indicate that the axilo and abdominal positions offered reliable measurements, with the abdominal sensor providing practical advantages due to lower pressure concerns. A significant finding is that lower foam thickness results in higher detection sensitivity, implicating the importance of environmental factors, such as ambient temperature, on sensor readings.



In conclusion, both sensor types are deemed suitable for clinical use, provided conditions such as location-specific thresholds and foam lining thickness are factored into the measurements. The ongoing clinical trials will further explore the efficacy of these sensors in real-world settings, contributing valuable insights to the field of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis management and potential future studies comparing full-time versus night-time bracing outcomes.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-221822

Specialties

Conferences