The use of matrix tactile sensors (MTS) for diagnostics of the efficiency of production, testing and application of a trunk orthosis

The need to increase the effectiveness of diagnostics and treatment of scoliosis through the design of a system for measuring pressure between an orthosis and the trunk of the subject originated on the basis of requirements of clinical orthopedic and prosthetic practice. Single-use thin pressure films were used for determining the optimal range of pressures and sizes of pads for subsequent design of the construction and system parameters for measuring pressure in real time. The system is intended for checking the process of production of trunk orthoses and monitoring the efficiency of corset treatment by measuring contact pressure and analyzing the measured data. The study is also concerned with the description of a sensing system of made-to-order production with parameters obtained from preceding measurements, the devising of a methodology and the testing of selected static and dynamic parameters. The outcomes of measurements on 10 subjects were processed, with simulation in an ambulant regime, the goal of which was to compare the value of the pressure and the surface between the individual pads and movements. Clinical and prosthetic workers thus obtain important information about the biomechanical functioning of the trunk orthosis on the patient and an instrument for determining the effectiveness of the treatment.