2nd International ICST Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare

Research Article

HipGuard: A Wearable Measurement System for Patients Recovering from a Hip Operation

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  • @INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/ICST.PERVASIVEHEALTH2008.2580,
        author={Pekka Iso-Ketola and Tapio Karinsalo and Jukka Vanhala},
        title={HipGuard: A Wearable Measurement System for Patients Recovering from a Hip Operation},
        proceedings={2nd International ICST Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare},
        publisher={IEEE},
        proceedings_a={PERVASIVEHEALTH},
        year={2008},
        month={7},
        keywords={flexible electronics; hip replacement; posture measurement; wearable technology; wireless sensor network},
        doi={10.4108/ICST.PERVASIVEHEALTH2008.2580}
    }
    
  • Pekka Iso-Ketola
    Tapio Karinsalo
    Jukka Vanhala
    Year: 2008
    HipGuard: A Wearable Measurement System for Patients Recovering from a Hip Operation
    PERVASIVEHEALTH
    ICST
    DOI: 10.4108/ICST.PERVASIVEHEALTH2008.2580
Pekka Iso-Ketola1, Tapio Karinsalo1, Jukka Vanhala1
  • 1: Institute of Electronics, Kankaanpää Unit, Tampere University of Technology, Kankaanpää, Finland.

Abstract

This paper presents a wearable measurement system for patients recovering from a hip replacement operation. The system, called HipGuard, is intended to be used at home during the recovery period of eight to 12 weeks after the surgery. The system measures the posture of the patient and also monitors the load put on the operated leg. These measurements help the patient to follow the precautions given by the surgeon. The measurement system consists of seven wireless posture sensor nodes for measuring the orientation of the hip and the legs, and a wireless load sensor node for measuring the load put on the operated leg. The patient is informed by the HipGuard system with an audio signal or a haptic vibration if the position of the operated hip or the load put on the operated hip approaches set limits.