Not that long ago wearables were still a novelty – wristwatch-style devices that would gather wearer’s fitness characteristics. Today, they a lot more than fitness and wellness trackers – they gather deeper insights into the wearer’s health condition, now readily used by sports as well as health professionals.
Here are some examples of what wearables can achieve today.
Sonic sock
Whether it’s a misplaced landing or unequal weight distribution between the feet, such detail will make or break an athlete’s performance.
Seemingly small refinements can make a big difference, so it’s vital that coaches and sports scientists have the data to make the right recommendations.
Design Partners partnered with the start-up Danu Sports to create a solution to measure and analyse an athlete’s gait during activity. The wearable is an innovative smart system built into a sports sock, to provide gait analysis in any environment at any time; see Figures 1 and 2.
The solution consists of a layer with 15 pressure sensors, covering the entire sole of the foot, collecting data on precisely where and how a person is landing. This helps prevent injury and re-injury by monitoring lower-limb load, measuring on-field balance, analysing gait, quantifying fatigue and tracking the rehab process.
The sensor tracks are integrated into the sock and run up to a pod located above the malleolus bone. The pod can be taken out to charge and the sock can be safely washed.
Using algorithms and a clear user interface, a sports scientist or coach can take the data and use it in a precise and targeted way to help enhance the athlete’s performance in real time without wading through streams of spreadsheets; see Figure 3.
In addition to the provided analytics, the sock is made of different knitted structures for stretchability and breathability, developed to not impede the user’s lifestyle.
Physiotherapy control
A tear or sprain to the anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most problematic sports injuries, and rehab after surgery involves close direction from a physiotherapist.
Rehab is based on scaled activity intended to regenerate rather than just allow time-based healing, so the physiotherapist needs to understand exactly where the patient is in the rehab regime to then increase or modify activity at the right points.
In response to this challenge, Design Partners collaborated with The Wireless Sensor Network group, University of Cork’s Tyndall National Institute, to create Skyre, a wearable device in the form of two leg-sleeves worn above and below the affected knee; see Figures 4-6. Inertial measurement units determine whether the exercise routines are preformed correctly, with EMG electrodes closely measuring specific muscle movements. Different type of electrodes integrated in the upper sleeve (thigh sleeve) can stimulate certain underutilised muscles to create resistance by using Electric Muscle Stimulation technology. The wearable’s remote monitoring allows the physiotherapist to see the patient’s progression curve, and then advise on the follow-up regime.
The app uses a voice-based interface to provide advice and encouragement to the patient, just like a physiotherapist would. Active monitoring and timely communication ensure that both wearer and physiotherapist are aligned and working together for a speedy recovery.
Heart monitoring
Design Partners also created the Viscero ECG vest, which uses electronic ink to monitor people’s heart rates.
An abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) can be life-threatening, leading to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other complications, therefore it is essential that healthcare professionals accurately monitor patient’s heartbeats over an extended period (48 hours or more). But, the traditional Holter device used by the majority of healthcare professionals is uncomfortable, and generally inhibits natural movement. This is not only an unpleasant experience for the wearer, but it can lead to inaccurate data, rendering it useless.
Viscero is a medical-grade, six-lead ECG monitoring system built into a t-shirt, that can be worn under clothes, unfelt and unnoticed. To collect accurate data, electrodes are positioned on the arms and waist under compression points, which are specifically made using lamination to reinforce the fabric area. The printed traces are connected to the main electronic “brain”, which is the size of a matchbox that fits into a small pocket of the t-shirt. This makes it easy to remove for charging or when the t-shirt needs laundering.
The device links to a healthcare professional’s dashboard, to be reviewed by a cardiologists when necessary, saving hours of trawling through ECG recordings.
By Sara Urasini, Head of Wearables, Design Partners (part of PA Consulting)
