Week 14

Knee Joint Therapy cost:

Based on some survey that I have done through the internet, I have list down all the components that related with KJT device. After some consideration on wage cost and mechanical frame/structure, I have set estimated price because the cost is dependant on labour and type of material used. These are the budget for each components in KJT device:

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Week 13

These are project planning for this semester and next semester:

Starting from 16/1/2012 and estimated finished at 9/11/2012

Final Year Project Semester 1

Final Year Project Semester 2

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Week 12

KJT device benefits/contibutions for soicial environment:

Portability: These machines are light weight and can be used from hospital bed. Upon discharge from the hospital, a range of motion machine can be use at home.

Decreased Recovery Time: The constant slow motion of the machine can help reduce pain and swelling while soothing the joint. The range of motion machine will help reduce soft tissue stiffness, decrease the likelihood of developing scar tissue, promote healing of the joint's surface, and increase the circulation of blood throughout the affected joint.

Increased Range of Motion: The machine is used to maintain range of motion and the flexibility. This machine can help enhance the overall outcome of patient surgery, which supports the ability to perform daily tasks and activities that enjoy to the fullest extent. 

Green environmental: By using stainless steel material, the KJT device frame and mechanical structure were expected to constructed using high quality material. The reason why those material was used is because to prevent user or patient from any corrosion that can lead into virus and bacteria exposure.

Low cost: Most of all device that similar with KJT device were very expensive. The price range based on research is starting from RM 4,000 to RM 11,000. This device was expected to be low cost and target market is for home use and prototyping for research knee anatomy and parameters.

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Week 11

What is the objectives of KJT device?


These are objective of this KJT device:
- to improve recovery by stimulating the healing of articular tissues
- to increase the amount of knee flexion for knee patients in the acute hospital setting
- to reduce the adverse effects of trauma or immobilization following surgery
- alternatives and adjuncts to conventional physical therapy following surgery or injury
- avoid arthrofibrosis following trauma or surgery on joints that are prone to stiffness

Anterior interval arthrofibrosis is the condition of abnormal scarring in the 'anterior interval' - the space below the kneecap and behind the patellar tendon.

Reference : http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/anterior-interval-arthrofibrosis

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Week 10

Programming flowchart draft

I have sketched basic programming flowchart for KJT device but later it will need to be discussed with supervisor to make sure it is proper as function for device to work.

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Week 9

Methodology of Knee Joint Therapy Device

The main operation for this Knee Joint Therapy (KJT) device is basically on ability to move knee joint in forward and reverse direction. This means the motion of knee can flex during the treatment by determine specific angle for knee flexion or based on range of motion. 

The KJT device is powered by AC or DC power supply whether it is operated in plugged in or battery mode. Also, power supply is needed to supply the voltage and current to microcontroller and DC motor to operate in the KJT device. These DC motor needed driving circuit in order to function because the microcontroller cannot control the DC motor directly due to low current output from microcontroller. 

Draft of block diagram of whole device

Possible components that are related with Knee Joint Therapy Device:

1. Microcontroller: ATmega328/Arduino UNO = Receive input, processing and control the output

2. Push button or switches = Interface between user and the device

3. Adjustable Power Supply = Supply electrical current to all electronics system

4. H-Bridge circuit = Control the directional of DC motor rotation clockwise @ anti-clockwise

5. DC Motor = Electrodynamic drive for moving the mechanical structure

6. Potentiometer = Work as sensor that give feedback to the microcontroller on flexion angle

7. Mechanical Structure:

     1) Bearing = to bear load between 2 moving parts with minimum amount of friction

     2) Linear actuator = convert rotary motion into linear motion

     3) Coupling = connect 2 shaft together, transmit power from driving shaft to driven shaft

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