RECOGNITION
Flexion has won a 2018 Red Dot Award: Communication.
FLEXION
Flexion is a reimagining of what a knee brace can be. Unlike the standard knee brace, Flexion actively helps the user increase their range of motion, expediting knee injury recovery, while also allowing physical therapists to monitor improvement remotely.
MY ROLE
UX/UI Design
Project Management
Primary & Secondary Research
Director & Cinematographer
Creative Direction
Ideation
THE PROBLEM
“Only 30% of physical therapy patients are completely adherent with their plan of care.” (1)
Knee surgery can immobilize patients forcing them to be out of work for weeks to months at a time ensuing financial repercussions.
“If not rehabilitated properly, a patient has a 45% risk of tearing their new ACL.” (2)
THE USERS
Humans who have experienced knee surgery, their physical therapists, and surgeons.
THE OPPORTUNITY
To change people’s lives by helping them recover quicker and unlock the physical therapy workflow.
HOW MIGHT WE Create an IOT device that allows patients to recover maximum range of motion with little to no effort, therefore making the process simpler for everyone?
Small Size Big Impact
The mechanism consists of multiple moving parts allowing for complex functionality. A mixture of pins, small metal plates, a servo, and an Arduino Lilypad create the inner mechanics of the Flexion knee brace lock. The L-gear allows for a height change, and the cheeseplate allows for adjustments to the pins as well as full locking.
Convenient, Expert Advice
The Flexion patient interface allows quick, simple access to the most pertinent information and the ability to contact their physical therapist about anything they are experiencing. They are able to view their long-term improvement in an understandable format.
Flexion allows for the adjustment of ROM with a click of a button. A physical therapist can assign a larger range of motion, and the patient will be able to accept the change from their phone and the lock will adjust. The physical therapist can rest easy knowing their instructions are being followed, and the patient doesn’t have to worry about removing the brace multiple times or awkwardly changing the lock themselves, especially if they are also injured in other areas of their body.
Thorough, Simple Recovery
Flexion allows for the adjustment of ROM with a click of a button. A physical therapist can assign a larger range of motion, and the patient will be able to accept the change from their phone and the lock will adjust. The physical therapist can rest easy knowing their instructions are being followed, and the patient doesn’t have to worry about removing the brace multiple times or awkwardly changing the lock themselves, especially if they are also injured in other areas of their body.
