WiFi-enabled hand-portable real-time force sensor to objectively assess strength

描述(申请人提供)：在康复治疗中实施循证的指令性运动实践需要一种客观的肌肉力量评估方法，该方法必须快速、可靠、便携、经济有效和动态(即能够测试完整的运动范围)。对于治疗师来说，在两次治疗之间跟踪患者的依从性(通过代表、套装、阻力和时间安排进行练习)也是有帮助的。这将通过阐明只能通过动态测量识别的特定运动参数来帮助临床研究，有助于建立神经肌肉疾病(肌萎缩侧索硬化症、多发性硬化症、帕金森氏症等)的比率和进展的基线。然后，医生可以将他们的患者与客观标准进行比较。它可以评估老年人跌倒的风险，使身体测试标准化，并使发育评估客观化。目前的评估和遵从性跟踪方法由于主观性、无法测试所有运动范围、不可移植性或成本较高，因此对这些做法的实施构成了障碍。在第一阶段和第二阶段的过程中，Kayo Technology将通过使用软件和Kiio开发客观肌肉力量评估和合规跟踪系统来满足这些需求，Kiio是一种专有设备(手持，与阻力电缆等常见设备兼容，能够快速、动态地进行肌肉力量评估)。Kiio将通过WiFi将数据实时数字传输到PC、桌面或智能手机上的软件。该系统旨在消除目前对循证做法的障碍，以便进行有效、一致的评估和跟踪进展情况。最终，它的成本效益将允许诊所将这些设备与患者一起发送。在那里，它将客观地跟踪患者在治疗期间对运动方案的依从性，提高患者的依从性和报告。预计通过增加评估的客观性并允许治疗师在两次治疗之间跟踪患者的依从性，这种设备可以显著提高临床效率和增加积极结果，进而减轻美国人口的残疾负担(个人和社会成本)。为了证明第一阶段的可行性，Kayo将设计、编程并制作满足所有这些要求的功能设备的原型(目标1)；Kayo将对其进行校准，以准确识别力测量并将其无线输出到PC(目标2)；Kayo将测试设备的延长使用可靠性和耐用性(目标3)。在第二阶段，将对设备和软件进行进一步的改进，并将在临床人群中进行测试。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Implementation of evidence-based prescriptive exercise practices in rehabilitation therapy demands an objective muscular strength assessment method that is fast, reliable, portable, cost effective, and kinetic (i.e., able to test the full rnge of motion). It would also be helpful for therapists to track patient compliance (exercises by reps, sets, resistance, and timing) between therapy sessions. This would aid clinical research by elucidating specific exercise parameters only identifiable with kinetic measurement, helping to establish baselines for the rate and progression of neuromuscular diseases (ALS, MS, Parkinson's, etc.). Practitioners could then compare their patients to objective standards. It could assess geriatric fall risk, standardize physical testing, and objectify development assessment. Current assessment and compliance tracking methods form barriers to the implementation of these practices due to subjectivity, inability to test the full range of motion, non-portability, or high costs. Over the course of Phases I & II, Kayo Technology will address these needs by developing a system of objective muscle strength assessment and compliance tracking using software and the kiio, a proprietary device (to be hand-portable, compatible with common equipment like resistance cables, and capable of rapid, kinetic muscle strength assessment.) The kiio will digitally transmit data in real-time via WiFi to software on a PC, table or smart phone. The system aims to eliminate current barriers to evidence-based practices, allowing for valid, consistent assessment and progress tracking. Ultimately, its cost effectiveness will permit clinics to send the devices with their patients. There it will objectivel track patient compliance with their exercise regimen between therapy sessions, improving patient compliance and reporting. It is anticipated that by increasing objectivity in assessment and allowing therapists to track patient compliance between therapy sessions that such a device could significantly enhance clinical efficiency and increase positive outcomes, in turn, reducing the disability burden on the U.S. population (in both individual and societal costs). To show feasibility in Phase I, Kayo will engineer, program, and prototype a functional device that meets all of these requirements (Aim 1); Kayo will calibrate it to accurately identify and output force measurements wirelessly to a PC (Aim 2); and, Kayo will test the device for extended-use reliability and durability (Aim 3). In Phase II, additional refinements will be made to the device and software, and testing will be performed within a clinical population.