ScolioXercise?
In 2021, my friends and I submitted a project for the Global Innovation Challenge. Our idea was simple: create a brace system to help patients with Scoliosis–who generally require medical supervision for serious exercise–exercise safely and independently. Today, the ScolioXercise is a product that we hope can make waves as a company, with release aimed for summer 2024.
Pointwatchers
The core technology of the ScolioXercise is the Pointwatchers. Comprised of a strain gauge and a 2 axis rotary encoder, Pointwatchers encode information about the tension and relative orientation between two points (a translation vector). By creating a network of Pointwatchers around the vest, it is possible to map out the tensions and pressures on each part of the upper body.
Design
The current iteration of the ScolioXercise aims to measure four key planes, corresponding to the T3, T8, T12, and L4 spinal disks. These disks were selected due to their seperation, as mapping the relative position and orientations of each one enables a better understanding of the overall spinal geometry. If an exercise is deemed unsafe, the user is quickly notified, mitigating a possibly life-changing accident. It is important to note that the ScolioXercise is a relative tracking system: it relies on a precalibrated defenition of what a rest-state spine should look like, which the patient may set up when they first use the product. Medical professionals we consulted also noted that the ScolioXercise has the potential to facilitate exercise for patients with conditions such as Kyphosis, or in general for the elderly.
Investment
Our company entered in the FITEN business pitch challenge, where we won a $1,500 grant for our idea. We also received a $20,000 angel investment from four angel investors.