DX-4
A wearable knee device that inspires young athletes recovering from ACL surgery to reach full range of motion, minimizing their chances of re-injury.
The device straps to the user’s thigh and shin and provides three levels of resistance whilst tracking the maximum angle achieved to engagingly display progress in partnership with the Nike Training Club app.
Why?
As participation in sport grows along with a combination of other factors, the rate of ACL injuries amongst young adults has increased dramatically.
In this period of their lives, taking time out of school, organised sports and group activities puts up massive social and mental barriers. Many young adults can’t see a way back to the life they were leading before injury.
The most important factors in reducing the chances of re-injury and minimizing recovery time are increasing range of motion and improving strength as early as possible post surgery.
Current recovery processes lack quantative and engaging methods of tracking progress during recovery.
Which is why we developed DX-4.
DFMA
The shapes of all injection moulded parts were optimised using Fusion 360’s moulding analysis and the dial was designed to be machined using a 5 axis CNC milling machine. The product was designed to be assembled in three main modules in order to reduce assembly time.
How?
Using an esp32 microcontroller and a brushless DC motor with a magnetic encoder, we were able to provide variable resistance to the leg whilst tracking the angle achieved.