A load compliance monitor system for the treatment of scoliosis

The efficacy of brace treatment for children with abnormal spinal curvature has been hampered by the lack of comprehensive information about how children wear their braces. A battery-powered microcomputer system was developed to monitor loads exerted by braces used to treat children with spinal deformities during daily living. The system can be used by three end-users: by patients to ensure that the brace is being worn properly, by clinicians to provide a record of how well the brace has been used and by researchers to investigate brace mechanics. Low power and small size are two significant features of this device. In a preliminary study, a subject tried on this device for a nine-day period. This study demonstrated the feasibility of the approach and helped the test subject to better wear her brace.