VietNamNet Bridge - People with foot injuries can move around in a convenient and safe way supported by a device invented by a group of lecturers and students at Da Nang University Junior College.

The group, named BIOMES_TECH, includes Hoang Thang, MA, lecturer, and four students Tran Dinh Tuoi, Le Hiep, Nguyen Thanh Hieu and Hoang Thi Phuong Uyen.

It took only one week to turn the idea into reality

In the case of ligament or joint injuries, people sometimes have to undergo long-term therapy with medical braces. However, this type of brace makes it difficult for patients to move around.

Understanding the patients’ problems, Tuoi and his friends thought about a device which helps patients from falling down when moving around. 

People with foot injuries can move around in a convenient and safe way supported by a device invented by a group of lecturers and students at Da Nang University Junior College.

A lot of work needed to be done within one week, from collecting materials to learning about common injuries when falling, programming the controller to processing signals, and designing and assembling the product.

How it works

The device consists of an accelerometer sensor and vibration sensor to record the postures of falls and transmit continuously to the control circuit.

When users fall, the control circuit will ‘command’ the engine to ‘put a brake’ on for 4 seconds. This is an appropriate time for the body to fall back to the steady state.

With Myrio integrated control circuit, the device can transmit signals from sensors and the status ‘break’ to computer via wifi.

The device can distinguish the movement of the body to provide supportive signals when necessary. For example, it can distinguish the body's motion in two situations - when users are standing, sitting, or lying as usual and when they suddenly fall. 

People can also use the device to support mobility and exercises to restore muscle function after injuries.

The device was praised by the jury board at the 5th Science and Technology Forum held in early April and awarded first prize for its practical application.

However, in order to put the device into commercial development, the inventors still need to improve some features and the operation system. Tuoi said they will change motor structure to magnetic lead, replace Myrio control circuit with Arduino and make the device smaller.

The Hoa Lac Hi-tech Service Center is connecting businesses to seek the support for improving the device and putting on the market. In May 2017, the device will be brought by BIOMES_TECH to Singapore to attend Tech in Asia conference.

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