Technologies

Summary

UCLA researchers have developed a novel method for monitoring rehabilitative exercises using a bed sheet with high-density pressure sensors.

Background

Rehabilitative exercises traditionally require a physical therapist on hand to provide instructions and monitoring. Camera systems and other special equipment may also be used. However, conspicuous monitoring can make patients uncomfortable and the resulting data, such as camera recordings that identify patients, can be unsuitable for large-scale studies and systematic analysis. Camera recordings may additionally suffer from “blind spots,” in which multiple cameras are required to capture all patient movement. There is a need for a non-intrusive, high resolution, continuous rehabilitation tracking method.

Innovation

UCLA researchers have developed a novel method for monitoring rehabilitative exercises using a bed sheet with high-density pressure sensors. The bed sheet permits effective patient evaluation via continuous and long-term measurement of pressure information. High resolution, high-dimensional data collected through the system would be conducive to systematic analysis and allow for relatively easy scrubbing of identifying information. Inconspicuous monitoring could also help to ease patient discomfort.