RICE-Optimized Knee Brace

Ian Saxton

Joseph Petsiger

Jaguar Ramangkoun

Problem Statement

• Athletes express a need for a product that assists physical therapists with the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)

process as the primary method of treating the 55% of all athletic

injuries that occur at the knee. These Injuries occur while

participating in their sports during the athletic season.

Doctors and therapists acknowledge the presence of common

knee injuries and the significant morbidity in professional and

recreational athletes. These injuries are a constant and

recurring problem and the hypothetical product previously

mentioned must make it easy for a person to make use of

multiple of the steps of this method simultaneously.

Background

• North-Shore-LIJ Orthopaedic Institute states that

runner’s knee makes up 42% of all overuse injuries in

athletes.

• The center for injury research & policy concluded that

55% of all sports injuries occur at the knee.

What Exactly is the Problem?

• Patellofemoral Pain (Runner's Knee)

• Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper's Knee)

• Swelling caused by Osteoarthritis

• Muscle & Cartilage Injuries

Who Says there is A Problem?

• “Patellar tendinopathy causes significant morbidity in professional and recreational athletes.” ---Rittweger J Institute for Biomedical Research into Human Movement and Health

• “Patellar tendinopathy is a common injury in jumping athletes.” --- Van der Worp H, Zwerver J, Kuijer PP, Frings-Dresen MH, van den Akker-Scheek I. Center for Sports Medicine

--“Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common problems among physically active individuals between

the ages of 15 and 30.” ---DeHaven & Lintner

How Prevalent is the Problem?

• “High school athletes account for an estimated 2 million injuries and 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000hospitalizations each year.” ---JS Powell, KD Barber Foss

• “Feretti reports that jumper’s knee represents 28% of all sport injuries in volleyball.” ---Miroslav Kezunovi

• “Kujala et al reported that 26.4% of athletes with knee disorder who were treated in outpatient unit have had jumper's knee.” ---Miroslav Kezunovi

Past Solutions

• Freezer-Dependent Ice Packs

• Tape

• Splints and Other Compromising Structures

• Heavy Water-Cooling Systems

• Inferior Knee Braces and Sleeves

Proposed Solution

• A therapeutic knee-brace that optimizes each

aspect of the R.I.C.E. recovery process, utilizes

a light, portable, and optional cooling system,

and permits use with the M.E.A.T. process.

Main Focuses• Patellar Support• Compression• Rest (Stress-Relieving Structure)• Cooling

R.I.C.E.• Sport science has endorsed the RICE method as the most

effective method to deal with ankle and knee sprains, muscle

and tendon pulls or strains, and the bruising that results from

the physical contact of sport.

– Rest

– Ice

– Compression

– Elevation

• “The best treatment often involves a combination of RICE

(rest, ice, compression and elevation), range of motion

(stretching) and strengthening exercises, and joint protection

strategies such as splinting, taping, strapping or bracing.” –

Freeman Spine & Pain Institute

Market Research

• Surveys Conducted

– Google Forms

– Survey Monkey

• Survey Takers

– 79% ages 13-17

– 95% used an ice pack

– 31% used a knee brace

– 57% were athletes

Survey Results

• 60% would use a thermo

electric cooler over a

traditional ice pack

• 71% wanted to be able

to be able alternate

temperature

• 61% wanted the brace to

be black

Survey Results Cont.

• Other Questions Asked:

– Would you buy a product that helps prevent

unnecessary knee surgeries?

– If you have been injured, how long did it take for

you to recover?

– In what way would a therapeutic knee brace help

you?

Survey Results Cont.• Have you ever found it inconvenient to ice a

certain area of your knee? If so, where?

“Yes, on the sidewhere you must hold

the pack in place.”“As long as I'm in a sitting position I

find it quite easy to ice my knee.

Standing however is a slight

problem.”“The

side of

my knee.”

“The side.”

“On top of my knee.”“All of it.”“The back of the knee,

it tickles.”

“The tendon under the knee

cap.”

10 other takers said:

“On top of my knee.”

What’s the Difference?

What is Unique?

• Useful for both

– R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)

– M.E.A.T (Movement, Exercise, Analgesic, Treatment)

• Ability to alternate temperature on the go in a light, compact, and portable package (no swapping ice packs!)

PROJECT CONSTRUCTION

RICE-Optimized Knee Brace

Design Criteria

Design Matrices

Methods of Construction

• 3D Printing

• Sewing

• Holes and Pins

• Shaving & Forming

The Cooler

• Thermoelectric

• Utilizes the Peltier

Effect

• Can be powered by

DC power

(batteries)

• Can be turned on

and off

Cooler of

Choice: TEC1-

12706

The Cooler Cont.

• Assuming a 25C

(77F) Room

• -Want to achieve a

2C (35.6F)Surface

• -With a run time of 8

hours

Then we want:

• 3.7 Volts

• 1.5 Amps

Best Battery Candidate:The kokam Superior Lithium polymer battery

205 series

Quick Info About Icing

• Note: With concern towards are choice of 2C and 8 hour run time, our Health Occupations expert Chris Malintold us that coldness is only good in moderation. The following problems can occur with too low a temperature, or too long of an exposure:

– Frostbite

– Promotes fluid build-up

– restricts lymphatic flow

In short, it’s better to alternate

temperatures (on and off) throughout the

day

The Battery

(Amps per hour)12Ah ÷ (Amps required)1.5A = 8 hours

The kokam Superior Lithium polymer battery

205 series

• Light• Packaged circuitry that protects wear &

tear• Size is manageable

TESTING DATA

RICE-Optimized Knee Brace

Stress Analysis

1000 ft-lbs

Each Side

Specifications• Source of coldness needs to

be removable/Adjustable

• Exterior color must be black

• Temperature of cooling surface must be above 0C (to prevent frostbite)

• Brace structure must be adjustable to 45

• Must support the patella

• TE Cooler can be switched off with

SPDT switch• Black

• TE Cooler cools to 2C

• Brace Structure is adjustable to 80

• Supports the Patella

Cooler Testing Summary

• Faulty Components were provided

• Cooler would not activate when supplied with

appropriate power

• Differences in resistance proved inconsistency and

inoperability

• Existing spec sheets , experiments, and calculations

prove that a functional cooler will perform as

predicted

Who’s Going to Want It?

• Primary Stakeholders

• Users• -Athletes ages 11 - 30• -Osteoarthritis patients

• Buyers• -Athletes ages 15 - 30• -Parents of athletes ages 11 -

17• -Physical therapy clinics• -Osteoarthritis patients

Sellers-Physical therapy clinics-Online athletic gear websites

Manufacturers-Edgewater Products Co. -Chicago, IL-Dunham Rubber and Belting Corp. - Indianapolis, IN-Abbott Rubber Company Inc. - Elk Grove Village, IL

Collaborators

Mary LyonsPresident-Elect

Midwest Pain Society

Chris MalinHealth Occupations

South Elgin High School

Scott ZitnikAP Physics

South Elgin High School

Questions?

Thank You For

Listening!

The Peltier Effect• The cooling of one junction and the heating of the other

when electric current is maintained in a circuit of material

consisting of two dissimilar conductors; the effect is even

stronger in circuits containing dissimilar semiconductors.

In a circuit consisting of a battery joined by two pieces of

copper wire to a length of bismuth wire, a temperature

rise occurs at the junction where the current passes from

copper to bismuth, and a temperature drop occurs at the

junction where the current passes from bismuth to

copper.

Back to “Cooler”

Lymphatic Flow

• The primary function of the lymphatic

system is to transport lymph, a clear,

colorless fluid containing white blood cells

that helps rid the body of toxins, waste and

other unwanted materials.

Back to “Quick Info About Icing”

M.E.A.T

• MEAT stands for movement, exercise, analgesics and treatment. While immobility is detrimental to soft tissue healing, movement is beneficial because it improves blood flow to the injured area, removing debris. One of the effects of movement is the generation of heat, which increases blood flow. This is why the application of heat is also recommended for ligament and tendon injuries.

• Difference between RICE and MEAT?– RICE – Muscles and Cartilage

– MEAT – Tendons and Ligaments

Back to “Proposed Solution”