INSTANT

What

Every year, thousands of people are helped with customized devices, such as orthoses, prostheses or wheelchairs. But these devices are only effective if they are worn long enough and correctly. In other words: adherence to therapy is an important aspect in the success of the treatment. Moreover, fitting a device is often a process of trial-and-error. The wearer gives feedback and the device is optimized. If we can measure the interaction between device and wearer, this provides insight into the adherence to therapy and the optimal functioning of the device.

The advanced miniaturization of electronics and the ever-improving battery technology make it possible today to develop affordable small sensor modules. If such sensor modules are integrated into the devices, we can extract objective parameters from them. Based on this data, we can fit the right device faster. During the rehabilitation, the right adjustments can be made and/or certain problems can be detected preventively.

Goal

This project meets the demand of orthopedic companies and care institutions to monitor and improve the use of devices. With the help of sensors, problems with devices can be detected early. This leads to an optimal functioning and use of the devices and thus to an increased satisfaction of the care seeker.

By the interaction between technological and clinical organizations, both target groups are better informed of each other’s needs and possibilities, which lowers the threshold to use instrumented devices.

Relevance

By integrating sensors into the devices, we expect an increase in quality of life for the wearers of the devices due to a faster fitting of the right device and a better follow-up by the caregivers.

Our Role

Mobilab & Care is the project executor of Instant.