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

描述（由申请人提供）：在康复治疗中实施基于证据的规定性运动实践需要一种客观的肌肉力量评估方法，该方法快速、可靠、便携、经济、动态（即能够测试整个运动范围）。对于治疗师来说，在治疗期间跟踪患者的依从性也很有帮助（练习次数、组数、阻力和时间）。这将有助于临床研究，阐明只有通过动力学测量才能识别的特定运动参数，有助于建立神经肌肉疾病（ALS、MS、帕金森病等）的发病率和进展基线。然后，从业者可以将他们的病人与客观标准进行比较。它可以评估老年人跌倒风险，规范身体测试，客观化发展评估。由于主观性、无法测试全范围运动、不可移植性或高成本，目前的评估和依从性跟踪方法形成了实施这些实践的障碍。在第一阶段和第二阶段的过程中，Kayo技术将通过使用软件和kiio（一种专有设备）开发一套客观肌肉力量评估和依从性跟踪系统来满足这些需求（kiio是便携式的，与电阻电缆等常见设备兼容，能够快速，动态肌肉力量评估）。kiio将通过WiFi将数据实时数字化传输到电脑、桌子或智能手机上的软件上。该系统旨在消除目前妨碍循证实践的障碍，允许进行有效、一致的评估和进度跟踪。最终，它的成本效益将允许诊所将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，并允许治疗师在治疗期间跟踪患者的依从性，这种设备可以显著提高临床效率，增加积极的结果，从而减少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、编程和原型化一个满足所有这些要求的功能设备（目标1）；Kayo将对其进行校准，以准确识别并将力测量值无线输出到PC（目标2）；Kayo将测试该设备的长期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.