An integrated project to fix the back pain problem in the US

Posture Monitor 4.

A collaboration project with engineer and business background student. Not only reach the different views from other teammates, but management and collaboration also make the experience of envolving in this project special.

Intro

Improve the quality of posture in working adults by developing a wearable device that accurately measures and analyses posture position, then gives feedback to the user with the ability to coach beneficial exercises to strengthen and correct posture. Project Goal

Primary Market Businesses and corporations have the motivation to improve employer health. Within this market, businesses and corporations have a strong desire to avoid employee injuries, promote healthy habits, and increase employee productivity.

80%

50%

10%

2,000$

of U.S. citizens will exhibit back problems

of U.S. citizens will report back pain every year

of U.S citizens experience back pain at any given time

per year on average; U.S. employer healthcare costs associated with back health problems

Interviews

Current Product User 1

“Incessant vibrations and sticky application to skin was annoying. I ultimately wanted to take the device off or turn the vibrations off which I think defeats the purpose of the device.”

Current Product User 2

There is only a single point of reference and calibration is based on what I think is correct posture and how do I know I am right? I wish these kinds of products were more accurate.”

Doctor

“No direction on how to fix posture other than sitting up straighter. If there was a way to connect to exercises that would be prescribed by physical therapists to the state of my posture.”

Current Market

Product

Posture Monitor, posturermonitor.org

Upright go

Lumo Lift

Back Brace

Align Med Posture Shirt

Basic Description Pros

A application that utilizes the Intel RealSense 3D camera to monitor when you start to slouch or have been sitting too long.

N/A

Small wearable device that sticks to the back of the upper neck/back and gives tactile feedback when you start to slouch.

Magnetic wearable sensor that’s worn on the front of the body just below the collarbone. Uses vibrations to alert user to posture issues.

Instant feedback

Also counts steps, training session

Cons

Only works with Intel Realcase 3D camera, not a apple product user

Cost

Where do we see improvement

$19.99 (Lifetime License)

Wearable deviceLicense

-Annoying, constant buzzing -Only gives feedback during training sessions -Purges data after 24 hours if not synced

Hard to tell what buzzing means without looking in the app, has to sync at least once every 6 hours by opening the app.

$79.95

Training programs, feedback system, and comfort

$120 (have since ceased selling)

Manual calibration, only measures one data point on the body

Physical wearable brace that forces correct posture No need for continuous feedback or power sources Lack of tracking or data, physically restraining Compression shirt that retrains muscles involved with posture in order to improve Straightforward and easy to use, forces you to make improvements just by wearing it. Not everyone likes to wear undershirts, expensive, needs to be washed regularly.

$12-100

$95

Comfort and tracking capability

Potentially add sensors.

Ideation

Our team decided to apply multi-sensors to fix the problem of accurately detecting the shape of the spine. After that, we start our ideation from how to mount the sensors on our body.

2. Install the velcro in the housing

1. Velcro mounts the sensors

3. Shape and structure definition

Final Design

Stretchy material to fit most of people

Place four sensors to reach precise shape of spine

The cover hold the sensors to avoid falling

Features

Velcro Charging Slot

Velcro for the cover

Align on the paint according to the the back length

Exploded View

Top Housing

Li Battery attach PCB by tape

PCB

Velcro

Back Housing

Pogo pins for charging

Snaps to assemble with the top housing

Bosses for fixing the velcro pad and PCB

Top Housing

TPE

by Overmolding

Polycarbonate

Top

Fabrication

Ribs for fix the PCB

Space for battery Back

Second Shot for TPE

Parting line Side action Side action

0.32” 1.6”

Back Housing

by Insert Molding

Charger Slot

Polycarbonate

Top

Fabrication

Insert pogo pins

Pins for fix the PCB Pins for fix the velcro pad

Back

Internal lifter Parting line

0.27” 1.55”

User Interface

Spina can distinguish different shapes between standing and sitting by learning of the different shapes in the sitting time and standing time that users set. Therefore, users can see two different data. Spina app can also customize the training according to every spine shape.

Home page

Connecting

Setting Sitting Time

Setting Standing Time

Traning Mode