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A BIOMEDICALLY engineered system based on wearable sensors could provide personalised treatment and rehabilitation of muscle/tendon injuries.
The iTraining system developed at Griffith University and the University of Auckland will work in real time to provide feedback on the stresses and strains that affect a specific muscle or tendon, either following injury, or in the prevention of injury.
The project was awarded a grant of nearly $1 million from Australian Research Council and industry partners. Now, the project team prepares to undertake a large three-party study of the system.
The test will focus on the Achilles Tendon, which is currently poorly understood because of the difficulties associated with directly measuring the stresses and strains experienced throughout the tendon in daily activities.
The test will firstly aim to identify the optimal loading conditions for both healthy, injured or diseased Achilles tendons. The researchers will then integrate technologies to measure the stress-strain of the tendon in real time, with participants donning wearable sensors whose output will be mapped with computer models. This technology will provide real-time biofeedback on the mechanical behaviour of the tendons.
Finally, the scientists will look at whether it is possible to devise various exercises to alter the sturctural properties of the Achilles tendon.
By integrating real-time sensor technology into such a study, the researchers say they can intelligently approach training and rehabilitation. The subjects can get specific feedback on their own bodies, providing personalised medicine and rehabilitation.
This technology is being developed in conjunction with research partners including University of Auckland, University of Western Australia, La Trobe University, Noraxon (USA), Wearable wireless sensors and system, Orthocell (Australia), Regenerative Medicine Phillips Health Care Australia and Medical Imaging.